The importance of being earnest
Faras Ghani talks to coach Robin Brown on the future of Zimbabwe cricket
Faras Ghani
20-Jan-2008
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Brown, appointed Zimbabwe's coach in September last year, chose, however,
to concentrate on the positives. "Yes, we lost by a big margin but we
managed to get a lot out of it," he told Cricinfo. "I think a result was
the only thing we failed to achieve because our bowlers got a chance to
spend time bowling to good opposition under new conditions. Our batsmen,
even though only a couple went past fifty, spent time in the middle and
adjusted to the low bounce and slowness that is the subcontinent pitch.
It's a learning process, whether it's accompanied by a win or a loss."
He agreed that there were spurts of impatience from the batsmen - mostly due to a lack of match experience. Tatenda Taibu, for example, had just
escaped with a rash stroke away from his body when, to the following
delivery, he slashed again - to one close to being called a wide. Taibu
departed, having faced 131 deliveries.
"Players need to own up, they need to take responsibility," Brown said.
"They all know how vital they are to the team's cause. We have done away
with the 'senior' tag so be it a debutant, or someone whose played over
fifty matches, they are all equally responsible."
Zimbabwe cricket has been in turmoil for some time now. They voluntarily
gave up Test status in 2006, having lost almost their entire first team
during the player revolt of 2004. Brown admits that it greatly affected the
side, but quickly adds that no player goes on forever in any case, so
backups should have been in place. It gave, he reasons, younger players a
chance to step up though the very basics, which, when he took over, had to be
revisited.
"Rebuilding is a gradual process, especially when you have a young side
with limited international experience. When we set about the process, we
took players to nets to work on basics. Batsmen need to put their feet in
the right places, play balls on merit and learn how to spend time at the
crease.
"Bowlers were given a channel to bowl in. We worked at those basics for
six-seven hours a day for six weeks. Players had a set routine. They knew
what they would be doing two weeks ahead. There is a set plan now in place
for every member and that has helped immensely."
There are still kinks, for example the fielding, which saw a number of grassed chances in Karachi. Brown recalled that it was Zimbabwe's fielding that played a key role in the upset win over Australia, so giving away "60 crucial runs due to sloppiness" against the Patron's XI wasn't good | |||
Hard work is paying off, as is cooperation from Zimbabwe Cricket. Before, according to Brown, facilities were not provided simply because players never asked for it. Now there are professional trainers, sports psychologists and world-class training facilities. "The board is working with the players now. We have a lot of talent and the board has realised that and invested time, effort and money into it."
The return of some experience has also helped. Without delving into the reasons behind their exits, Brown welcomed back Taibu, Ray Price and Gary Brent, highlighting their value to the team from the tour match alone. Taibu scored 46 and 30, Price managed a four-for and Brent was involved in a defiant 96-run seventh-wicket partnership to delay the inevitable.
"Experience improves the side. While they perform, they can share the magic with younger players and pass on advice. Their return also fires a warning to players whose spot they have occupied, as they now need to work extra hard elsewhere and warrant selection in the playing eleven. It's healthy competition."
Vital to maintaining that competition will be the ability of the domestic
structure to churn out talent. Brown says matters are rapidly improving,
pointing out that provincial sides managed to beat the Kenyans easily last
season. "It was beneficial for Zimbabwe to have invited Kenya to play but
it was pleasing for our players to be winning against them. It just shows
how much depth we have in our talent pool. We also have A and B teams,
with international coaches coming in. It is definitely on the rise."
There are still kinks, for example the fielding, which saw a number of
grassed chances in Karachi. Brown recalled that it was Zimbabwe's fielding
that played a key role in the upset win over Australia, so giving away "60
crucial runs due to sloppiness" against the Patron's XI wasn't good.
"Sometimes they switch off on the field," Brown admits. "It is difficult
to keep them motivated as we, before this hectic schedule recently, barely
played any cricket. I would love to see them play more, ideally in
international cricket but even if its club cricket. Playing under various
conditions different to back home would help the players develop a great
deal."
So what does Zimbabwe need to get back into the Test arena?
"Nothing," Brown says without hesitation. "I think we're right up there
with most of the teams on the Test circuit. Obviously, competing against
the top two will be difficult, but against the likes of Bangladesh, West
Indies and New Zealand I'm sure the team will perform well."
So a humble enquiry is put forward: on the performance of the tour match,
would a Zimbabwe Test against Bangladesh last five days? "Obviously it won't. We will beat them in four."
Faras Ghani is an editorial assistant at Cricinfo