Zubayr Hamza out to redeem himself on SA A tour

It was an unfortunate use of the phrase, but nevertheless apt. “That was the toughest pill to swallow,” said Zubayr Hamza. 

The instance he was referring to wasn’t when a prohibited drug was found in his system early last year, which led to a nine-month ban, it was watching others moving ahead of him in the Proteas pecking order. 

“(The ban) came at a time when I’d found a way back (into the Proteas team) and there were a lot of prospects and opportunities available. That also hit home. I was there once (in 2019), got dropped due to underperformance — which was only fair. Then you work your way up to get there again and get hit with another bump, obviously through my own negligence,” said Hamza.

The 27-year-old tested positive for the prohibited substance Furosemide, which is used to treat oedema — the build-up of fluid in body tissue — and hypertension. It’s prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency because it can also be used as a masking agent.

The substance was found in Hamza’s system during an out of competition test conducted on January 17, 2022.

Because he’d accidentally ingested it — the result of picking up the wrong box of medication — and fully co-operated with anti-doping authorities, what would normally be a two-year ban was reduced to nine months.

Still, it stung Hamza. “It was a very difficult period. I went through about three months at the start of the suspension just not really feeling myself, not wanting to socialise, removing myself from any situation. It was pretty lonely.”

Hamza insists the responsibility for what happened lies entirely with him. “I don’t blame anyone else. Tough things happen to anyone. My situation was difficult but there’s a lot of other people that suffer from way worse, just due to their normal everyday circumstances. And as much as I had a tough time, and suffered within myself in that period, it’s happened. It’s done.

“I’m looking forward to what is to come. That is not to say I’ve forgotten. I feel I am better off for it. I had a lot of time to reflect and understand what it is that I want to achieve out of the sport.” 

At the time of his initial selection for the Proteas for a series against Pakistan in 2019, Hamza appeared to be fulfilling the rich promise of his early days at Western Province.

Being labelled the “next Amla” wasn’t helpful but Hamza, with a sunny disposition underlined by anecdotes about upsetting his mother by doing “keepie uppies” in the kitchen and whacking a ball into a pot of oil, seemed to wear those expectations comfortably. 

Four years later it’s a more serious Hamza who is counting his blessings after being selected for the SA A team’s tour to Sri Lanka. He’s also left his home city, Cape Town, after signing a contract with the Central Gauteng Lions, a decision he says that came from introspection that occurred when he was suspended.

“I scored runs towards the back end of (last) season. Enoch Nkwe showed support for me during the suspension and hearing him say I could still be part of the national set-up gave me confidence and self-belief — as well as (Shukri Conrad) giving me an opportunity to be part of this squad for Sri Lanka.”

It has put Hamza back in the frame regarding the Proteas too. In his six Tests, the last of which was played in New Zealand in February last year, he’s shown promise, but with four of his 12 innings being scores over 25, and just one of those a half century, he knows that is not enough to earn consistent international selection.

It was up to me, to get out of that dark space and start working again

—  Hamza

“Last February and even this past December, (my mindset was) to settle in again, get into the flow of the season. That was the main focus, there was no desire to get instant recognition with the national set-up,” he said.

“I’m very realistic and honest with myself with regard to cricket in general and how tough and challenging it is. Every year there’s a batch of new guys competing for your spot. Just understanding that nine months, while people may (believe) is a short period of time, for a sportsman that is one full season where a new bunch of guys who are talented, hard working, putting numbers on the board ... it sets you back, that’s what made that period a lot more difficult.

“But it was up to me to get out of that dark space and start working again and looking for opportunities to do what I love, which is competing, and putting the numbers on the board, which is the only way to get back up.”