Coventry turns his back on Zimbabwe

Charles Coventry celebrates a half century against India last September © AFP

Charles Coventry has become the latest player to turn his back on Zimbabwe after he reportedly fell out with coach Kevin Curran and team manager Andy Pycroft, declaring that he will never play for Zimbabwe as long the duo are involved in cricket.

Coventry, who is playing in the Southern Electric League in Hampshire, said he had a spate with Curran and Pycroft during Zimbabwe's tour of West Indies in May. "I had a falling out with the coach and the manager and have realised that there is no future for me in Zimbabwe cricket. I also decided that I will not be coming back to Zimbabwe Cricket as long as Pycroft and Curran are involved due to personal reasons."

Even though he did not go into detail, reliable sources say it was so bad that Coventry walked out of the team before Zimbabwe took on Bermuda and Canada and headed for England.

Coventry said he took the decision so that he could stop worrying about the future, and even the prospect of playing in next year's World Cup in West Indies is not enough to make him change his mind. "My time of worrying and feeling like I do not know what is going to happen tomorrow is over," he told Cricinfo. "I decided to it be in my best interests to leave before I do or say something that I will regret. Also financially it is not worth staying with Zimbabwe Cricket as I could find another job that can earn me better money."

A talented batsman with a love for big shots, Coventry attracted the attention of the Zimbabwe selectors after his exploits at the 2002 Under-19 World. He was called up for Zimbabwe one-day series against India and made his ODI debut against England in June 2003. He has represented Zimbabwe 11 ODIs and two Tests, both against India last year.