Zimbabwean
By Farirayi Kahwemba
28 July 2010
HARARE – After more than a decade of decline, characterized by allegations of maladministration on the part of Zimbabwe Cricket’s (ZC) top brass and dismal performances on the international stage by the national team, cricket is now slowly but surely finding its feet. (Picture: Henry Olonga believes that Mugabe is a stumbling block in Zimbabwean cricket.)
History proves that Zimbabwean cricket often mirrors the country’s political climate and the coming in of the MDC into government – which culminated into the appointment of David Coltart to the post of Minister of Education, Sport and Culture – seems to have brought with it a good measure of legitimacy and respect in the eyes of the international community.
Hopes are high that the direct involvement of MDC officials in local cricket will paint a brighter picture of the sport, which in the past has been isolated internationally because of its links to Zanu (PF). Stakeholders are also hopeful that the presence of the MDC will go a long way in softening the stance of countries such as Australia, England and New Zealand, who are refusing to play in Zimbabwe because of continued human rights abuses under President Robert Mugabe’s autocratic rule.
Under Coltart
Under Coltart, technical issues directly related to the national cricket team are now the responsibility of former players, as they are the ones who possess the knowledge and experience of the game.
The wisdom of roping in former national team skipper Alistair Campbell (ZC convener of selectors) and Heath Streak (bowling coach) is already bearing fruit.
The two, together with Dave Houghton who is also assisting with the coaching, were persuaded to be part of the technical set up in a development that saw them find common ground with ZC following longstanding differences dating back to 2005.
Other former players such as Grant Flower and Duncan Fletcher have in turn expressed a desire to be incorporated into the ZC structures and there is no doubt that their experience will be an invaluable asset to the sport.
Under the proposed arrangements for the future, Flower – who during his prime was considered one of the best opening batsmen in the world – will be appointed as the national team’s batting coach while Fletcher will be responsible for grooming young talent at the national cricket academy.
According to ZC’s Head of Game Development and Training, Titus Zvomuya, Cricket South Africa (CSA) is also complimenting Zimbabwe’s cricket developmental efforts through assisting in the area of coaching and age group tournaments.
CSA support
The assistance, which is being rendered until Zimbabwe regains its test-playing status, is in line with a cooperation agreement that was signed between ZC and CSA in February this year.
“The support we have received from CSA is second to none. This support has come in many different forms and notably in coaching and age group tournaments. This will go a long way in helping us to become a strong cricketing nation,†said Zvomuya.
Domestic cricket will also have an international flair following the appointment of former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie to the position of head coach of MidWest Rhinos.
And while the national team is yet to match the one during the 1990s – when the sport was at its peak in Zimbabwe – there are clear signs of a revival on the field of play.
A young, relatively inexperienced Zimbabwe shocked the world by beating Australia just before the International Cricket Council (ICC) 2010 Twenty-20 World Cup after very few people had given them a chance.
In their opening match of the tournament, they registered a comfortable victory over the West Indies and although they eventually failed to progress beyond the group stages of the competition, they won the respect of the other teams taking part.
Former national team fast bowler Henry Olonga – who was the first black cricketer to represent the country – believes the time is ripe for stakeholder within the ICC to seriously reconsider rehabilitating Zimbabwe back into the elite league of test cricket playing nations.
Stumbling block
However, believes that President Mugabe, who is the ZC patron, is a stumbling block to the development of the sport in the country.
“It is a painful compromise, but I think Zimbabwe is on the mend. Certainly it is cricket-wise but politically there is still a long way to go,†said Olonga.
“We are starting to play well in one-day cricket now so let’s use this momentum and get to the stage where they are a competitive Test side in three or four years.
“The way forward is for Zimbabwe to play some of the lesser teams first and if we don’t get beaten in two days then we are heading in the right direction,†he said.