Stuart Carlisle

The utility batter of the Zimbabwe side - and latterly their spirited captain - Stuart Carlisle had plenty of guts and application but could have done with more self-belief. Predominantly a front-foot player, his record would probably have been better had he been given an extended run in the side in a fixed position. Instead, Carlisle batted anywhere from No. 1 to No. 7. But he was an athletic, often inspired fielder, particularly square of the wicket where he has held many stunning catches in one-day cricket. He inherited the captaincy at the end of a turbulent five-week period in early 2002, after Brian Murphy, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak and Alistair Campbell had all been removed from the post for one reason or another. Carlisle - and his batting average - initially rose to the challenge but then paid the price for losing five out of six Test matches. He was stripped of the captaincy and then dropped, missing the 2003 World Cup. He forced his way back into the frame for the 2003 England tour, during which he broke his hand prior to the NatWest Series, but returned with a bang to score his first Test century, against Australia at Sydney in October 2003. But he was closely involved in the dispute which followed the dismissal of Heath Streak in April 2004, and like the other rebels, that seemed to mark the end of his international career. He briefly returned, but quit in October 2005, saying: " I am fed up by what is happening and I just walked away. I'm tired of the politics. I'd rather be away from them."
Geoffrey Dean October 2005