No turning back
Andy Flower on Heath Streak, the future of Zimbabwe and the county game
Edward Craig
19-Apr-2005
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No, I wouldn't. I am happy playing my cricket for Essex and that is where my focus is. It would not be right for Zimbabwe to take me back, they must move on with their new crop of players.
Should Zimbabwe be playing Test cricket?
When we were given Test status in 1992, I was very surprised - I didn't think we should have been given it. Looking back now, I am thankful that we were given the opportunity to play against the best in the world. I did not think our domestic cricket was strong enough to sustain the standard required over a long period of time. Now the strength of domestic cricket is even weaker. It has been right to shift to a black player-base, which had to happen in Zimbabwe, but the standard of domestic cricket is not good enough to produce Test players. I think Test matches should be for the best cricket-playing nations in the world. I think Zimbabwe at the moment would lose to a lot of first-class sides. I see that as incongruous.
When we were given Test status in 1992, I was very surprised - I didn't think we should have been given it. Looking back now, I am thankful that we were given the opportunity to play against the best in the world. I did not think our domestic cricket was strong enough to sustain the standard required over a long period of time. Now the strength of domestic cricket is even weaker. It has been right to shift to a black player-base, which had to happen in Zimbabwe, but the standard of domestic cricket is not good enough to produce Test players. I think Test matches should be for the best cricket-playing nations in the world. I think Zimbabwe at the moment would lose to a lot of first-class sides. I see that as incongruous.
Leader of the rebels Heath Streak returned for Zimbabwe against South Africa. Has he endangered the careers of the other rebels?
I think you are spot on. When my brother Grant first got in touch and told me what they were planning to do, my advice was not to do it - not to have a rebel group of white cricketers giving ultimatums to the Zimbabwe Cricket Union. I told him he would not win that battle. He'd either not play any more international cricket or be in a protracted battle in court. There wouldn't be any winners. That Heath Streak led them into it and is now back playing is poor form. There have not been the wholesale changes they were demanding but they want to go back - I don't know what the reasons are. But you don't make a big stand then, when nothing changes, go back and say: "Actually, I do want a contract." Now there are half a dozen or so young white players out of a job.
I think you are spot on. When my brother Grant first got in touch and told me what they were planning to do, my advice was not to do it - not to have a rebel group of white cricketers giving ultimatums to the Zimbabwe Cricket Union. I told him he would not win that battle. He'd either not play any more international cricket or be in a protracted battle in court. There wouldn't be any winners. That Heath Streak led them into it and is now back playing is poor form. There have not been the wholesale changes they were demanding but they want to go back - I don't know what the reasons are. But you don't make a big stand then, when nothing changes, go back and say: "Actually, I do want a contract." Now there are half a dozen or so young white players out of a job.
Will the return of the rebels improve results?
It will add to the strength of the side a little, but there was a lot of damage done, with all the racial discussion and I think there is a limit to the improvement the rebels are going to make. I find it very surprising that they can return after the relationship breakdowns during that year-long struggle. I don't know what the relationship between the rebels and other players is. It has to be awkward. How do you build harmony out of a situation like that?
It will add to the strength of the side a little, but there was a lot of damage done, with all the racial discussion and I think there is a limit to the improvement the rebels are going to make. I find it very surprising that they can return after the relationship breakdowns during that year-long struggle. I don't know what the relationship between the rebels and other players is. It has to be awkward. How do you build harmony out of a situation like that?
Can you go back to Zimbabwe?
I don't know. I haven't been back. The last time I was there was in the World Cup in 2003. I'd love to go and see my friends. But I just don't think it is a thing I can do at the moment. It is possible that it would be dangerous.
I don't know. I haven't been back. The last time I was there was in the World Cup in 2003. I'd love to go and see my friends. But I just don't think it is a thing I can do at the moment. It is possible that it would be dangerous.
Are you involved in Zimbabwe at all at the moment, in a charitable or lobbying role?
I am the patron of a legal-defence fund, to assist people who need legal aid in Zimbabwe. But I don't get involved in lobbying or fundraising.
I am the patron of a legal-defence fund, to assist people who need legal aid in Zimbabwe. But I don't get involved in lobbying or fundraising.
As one of the most high-profile sportsmen from Zimbabwe, do you think you will?
I do feel that responsibility, like every citizen of a country should feel. But I find it difficult to balance that with looking after my own game and my family, I've got three kids and I am busy. Since all that World Cup hullabaloo I have taken a back seat to get my life and my family's life back in order. The protest changed my life, definitely. It is quite strange to step out of your comfort zone as a player into another world and it meant we had to move to a new country, but I knew this before we made the protest.
I do feel that responsibility, like every citizen of a country should feel. But I find it difficult to balance that with looking after my own game and my family, I've got three kids and I am busy. Since all that World Cup hullabaloo I have taken a back seat to get my life and my family's life back in order. The protest changed my life, definitely. It is quite strange to step out of your comfort zone as a player into another world and it meant we had to move to a new country, but I knew this before we made the protest.
What do you think of the standard of county cricket?
I think it is quite good. I know it has its detractors. The Aussies who have played county cricket respect it. Most of the Aussies who have negative things to say have not played here. But it has still weaknesses. A bowler that you see in the first half of the season will look a different bowler towards the end because of his workload. You can see bowlers looking after themselves and therefore losing pace. In Australia, there is a period of reflection and recuperation after each game, then the build-up to the next is like the build-up to a Test match - everyone hits the ground running.
I think it is quite good. I know it has its detractors. The Aussies who have played county cricket respect it. Most of the Aussies who have negative things to say have not played here. But it has still weaknesses. A bowler that you see in the first half of the season will look a different bowler towards the end because of his workload. You can see bowlers looking after themselves and therefore losing pace. In Australia, there is a period of reflection and recuperation after each game, then the build-up to the next is like the build-up to a Test match - everyone hits the ground running.
This article was first published in the May issue of The Wisden Cricketer. Click here for further details.