Desperate Zimbabwe target Taibu

A report in the Zimbabwe Independent claims that Zimbabwe Cricket is making a desperate attempt to lure back Tatenda Taibu before the February 11 deadline when squads for the World Cup have to be named.

Taibu retired from international cricket more than a year ago after his family was threatened by people with links to both the government and cricket. Since then he has played in Bangladesh, England and at the moment is turning out for Namibia in South African domestic competition.

Zimbabwe's cricket, meanwhile, has continued to lurch from crisis to crisis, and following a 5-0 one-day whitewash in Bangladesh at the end of last year, there are real fears that the side could face humiliation in the World Cup.

While Taibu was deeply unhappy with Peter Chingoka, ZC's chairman, it is understood that the real obstacle to his return is the US$38,000 he is owed by the board for outstanding match fees. Two other players who have also quit international cricket - Andy Blignaut and Heath Streak - are also believed to be owed more than $100,000 between them. Despite senior officials insisting the board is not strapped for cash, cheques have bounced recently and sources privately admit that ZC does not have enough to meet such debts at the moment.

"We hope we can talk and agree with Taibu to come back, but maybe he'll demand the money he says Zimbabwe Cricket owes him," a board member told The Independent. "Other players are being talked to as well. There's Tinashe Panyangara also who we hear might be in Australia or England."

Chingoka recently said that a committee had been formed to try to lure back former players, but critics have pointed out that it is likely to be a short-term solution to try to save face in the Caribbean. One player briefly mentioned as someone who might return was Ray Price, but a friend of his said that as nothing had changed since he quit, that is not an option.

Many of those who walked away were dismayed at the way Chingoka and those close to him have run the game in recent years, and it will take more than some sweet talk and more promises to lure them back for anything longer-term than the World Cup.