Zimbabwe's road to redemption
Dave Houghton, Alistair Campbell, Heath Streak, Bryan Strang - names that took Zimbabwe to its zenith of cricketing achievement before political turmoil destroyed their establishment
Nitin Sundar
25-Feb-2013
Dave Houghton, Alistair Campbell, Heath Streak, Bryan Strang - names that took Zimbabwe to its zenith of cricketing achievement before political turmoil destroyed their establishment. Now, the same names are working overtime to resurrect the game in their country. Aditya Iyer of the Indian Express finds out more.
After the first-class system ceased to exist during the dark days, the Zimbabweans have borrowed a tried and tested formula from their neighbours. According to Heath Streak, the bowling consultant, the franchise system has brought about stability. “The South African prototype of the franchise system has worked brilliantly for us. We have five franchises in the country which play all year long. The results have shown in the national team. In about three years, we’ll be ready for the biggest names,” Streak says.
Like any structure, the foundations are being strengthened to make sure it doesn’t cave inwards. “We’ve started working from the grassroots upwards, not the other way around. The coaching system has changed for the better. With the franchises coming into play, we’ve done well to fast-track back into international cricket.
Nitin Sundar is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo