Travis Friend - Zimbabwe - Batting Allrounder

Most sports persons across the world always fail to plan for the future when their playing days are over. Travis John \"Chunks\" Friend is a perfect example of someone who thought of a life after a career in sport. Friend is now a commercial pilot - one of the most interesting post-cricket careers of all time. A fast bowler who was also equally capable with the bat, Friend made his international cricket debut for Zimbabwe at the age of 19. Fired by Zimbabwe Cricket in 2004 together with other 14 players for siding with sacked skipper Heath Streak, Friend headed off to Australia where he played league cricket in Sydney.

He later moved to the United Kingdom permanently where he signed up for English county cricket side Derbyshire, where Zimbabwe coach David Houghton was the director of cricket. Injuries, which had hampered his international career affected his progress at Derbyshire and he was not able to secure a contract extension the following season. That saw him turn to club cricket in Birmingham where he played for three seasons.

He points out that being sacked by his own cricket board made him rethink a second career to fall back on in future. Already armed with two Advanced Level passes in Art as well as Geography from Saint George’s College in Harare and a private pilot certificate he had acquired in 2001 while still playing cricket in Zimbabwe, Friend embarked on steps to become a commercial pilot in 2006. His flight training took over a year and he secured his UK flying licence in 2007. While Friend soars higher piloting the planes, his achievement should serve as inspiration to other cricketers.