da imperador bet： Faras Ghani talks to coach Robin Brown on the future of Zimbabwe cricket
Faras Ghani20-Jan-2008
Robin Brown: ‘We have done away with the ‘senior’ tag so be it a debutant, or someone whose played over 50 matches, they are all equally responsible’ © AFP
Smiling, just as he was after overcoming the might of Australia at theWorld Twenty20 group phase, Robin Brown sits down to talk about a groupof internationals who don’t play Test cricket. Zimbabwe had just lost afour-day tour match in Karachi by an innings – albeit against a bunch of strongPakistan hopefuls – a detour possibly to their road back to Test cricket.Brown, appointed Zimbabwe’s coach in September last year, chose, however,to concentrate on the positives. “Yes, we lost by a big margin but wemanaged to get a lot out of it,” he told Cricinfo. “I think a result wasthe only thing we failed to achieve because our bowlers got a chance tospend time bowling to good opposition under new conditions. Our batsmen,even though only a couple went past fifty, spent time in the middle andadjusted 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 justescaped with a rash stroke away from his body when, to the followingdelivery, he slashed again – to one close to being called a wide. Taibudeparted, 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 awaywith the ‘senior’ tag so be it a debutant, or someone whose played overfifty matches, they are all equally responsible.”Zimbabwe cricket has been in turmoil for some time now. They voluntarilygave up Test status in 2006, having lost almost their entire first teamduring the player revolt of 2004. Brown admits that it greatly affected theside, but quickly adds that no player goes on forever in any case, sobackups should have been in place. It gave, he reasons, younger players achance to step up though the very basics, which, when he took over, had to berevisited.”Rebuilding is a gradual process, especially when you have a young sidewith limited international experience. When we set about the process, wetook players to nets to work on basics. Batsmen need to put their feet inthe right places, play balls on merit and learn how to spend time at thecrease.”Bowlers were given a channel to bowl in. We worked at those basics forsix-seven hours a day for six weeks. Players had a set routine. They knewwhat they would be doing two weeks ahead. There is a set plan now in placefor 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 goodHard 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 domesticstructure to churn out talent. Brown says matters are rapidly improving,pointing out that provincial sides managed to beat the Kenyans easily lastseason. “It was beneficial for Zimbabwe to have invited Kenya to play butit was pleasing for our players to be winning against them. It just showshow 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 ofgrassed chances in Karachi. Brown recalled that it was Zimbabwe’s fieldingthat played a key role in the upset win over Australia, so giving away “60crucial runs due to sloppiness” against the Patron’s XI wasn’t good.”Sometimes they switch off on the field,” Brown admits. “It is difficultto keep them motivated as we, before this hectic schedule recently, barelyplayed any cricket. I would love to see them play more, ideally ininternational cricket but even if its club cricket. Playing under variousconditions different to back home would help the players develop a greatdeal.”So what does Zimbabwe need to get back into the Test arena?”Nothing,” Brown says without hesitation. “I think we’re right up therewith most of the teams on the Test circuit. Obviously, competing againstthe top two will be difficult, but against the likes of Bangladesh, WestIndies 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.”