Zimbabwe cut coaching staff for West Indies tour

[aydee]

Oh yeah, you're right.

What a bastard. Coming over to Zim with his wealth of international experience and expert knowledge, the like of which no Zimbo has yet attained. Sharing that for a whole 2 years, at a time when most of his calibre wouldn't touch Zim with a barge-pole. Moving his family to Kwekwe and constantly telling everyone how good the country was and how much talent there could be. Bringing on players like Muzhange, Madziva and Chinouya to become consistent performers at first class level. Then after paying his dues, doing an excellent job by all accounts, taking up a significantly better job (from all perspectives) elsewhere. Leaving with a trail of tributes, and not breaking any agreements or leaving any ill feeling in his wake. A little Kwekwe based franchise was never going to hold someone as talented as Dizzy. In fact, it is remarkable that he dedicated 2 years of his life to it.

What a bastard.

[hhm]

I think you miss the point hhm. You called the bloke a bastard because he had the nerve to accept a better job. The irony is you later go on to say play the ball and not the man.

Is this an invitation for me to recount some of the words that have been directed to some loyal servants responsible for the Zimbabwean cricket renaissance, who are only trying to contribute even further?

I don't remember them being so aggressively defended y the same quarters...

Am I missing something?

As far as I'm concerned his a bastard who's conducting a PR exercise to project the unfairness towards his mates.

I didn't start watching Zim cricket this year! For several tours we saw a lot of ZCU employees travelling with the side overseas. There were no bowling/batting coaches travelling with the team, and they did just fine!

[Jemisi]

Anybody would agree with you, Hhm? Anybody but the people at ZCF. What misfortune that you are unable to make us get it.

[aydee]

they did just fine!

When was that again?

[eugene]

How dare Gillespie bring his colonial cricket expertise to the Socialist paradise of Zimbabwe and spread his capitalistic ideas of work and success to our young revolutionaries. Showing his true colours, the imperialist bastard even accepted remuneration for his services; any true loyal servant would have worked solely for the love of Mugabe and furthering the chimurenga.

[Jemisi]

Mwari akuropafadze Comrade Eugene!

[bayhaus]

Source: http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies ... 03634.html

Taylor unhappy with cuts in coaching staff
Zimbabwe's captain, Brendan Taylor, has labelled it a "step in the wrong direction" that coaching support staff will not travel with the team to the Caribbean for their series against West Indies later this month.

A change to the technical structure of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has resulted in smaller touring parties from now on. As a result, batting coach Grant Flower, bowling coach Heath Streak and fitness Lorraine Chivandire will not travel with the side but will be involved in their pre-tour preparations. Zimbabwe have not played a Test or ODI since their tour of New Zealand in January and February 2012 and will be short of match practice. Taylor posted this message on Facebook to convey his thoughts. "It's a massive concern not having Grant, Heath and Lorraine with us for the upcoming tour to the West Indies. For me personally as a captain and a batter and I can speak on behalf of the others in the side we are taking steps in the wrong direction by doing this," he said.

Taylor was particularly worried about the absence of Flower, who was playing with the team till September 2010, and has since been in charge of the batsmen. Flower's dedication and experience, Taylor said, will be missed.

"We will never have a guy like Grant Flower ever again as a batting coach and this is how he is being treated. His work ethic is second to none. He is qualified as a level 4 coach (can't get any higher). I recall times where he has thrown to the guys from 9am through to 5pm for weeks on end. You might say that is his job, but no one will do it better.

The bit of success that myself and others have had over the past couple of years, I put that down to Grant Flower. People are saying the preparation should have been done prior to the tour, that's correct. But preparation on tour is vital too, let alone their knowledge, advice and their experience that could be shared on a daily basis."

Despite Taylor's anxiety, he promised to lead the team as best he could but called for ZC to reconsider its new policy. "In saying this, all we hope is to do everyone proud and sincerely appreciate your support. Let's hope changes are made," he said.

When the country's sports minister, David Coltart, quoted the message, he asked Taylor whether the post was originally his. Taylor responded in the affirmative and said "felt I had to say my view to all people. I am very concerned."

Taylor is one of the four Zimbabwean players currently at the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Charles Coventry and Hamilton Masakadza are the other two who are a part of the squad to tour West Indies while Elton Chigumbura was dropped from the national side. Although the tournament ends on February 19, a day before Zimbabwe's only warm-up match before the ODI series, the players will not leave the BPL early. They will fly directly to West Indies in time for the first ODI on February 22.

The tour is Zimbabwe's first full tour since their trip to New Zealand and is Alan Butcher's last as head coach. His contract expires in April and he has chosen not to reapply for his job. Flower is one of three candidates who were interviewed to replace Butcher. Assistant coach Stephen Mangongo, who is going on the West Indies tour, and Andy Waller, the former national batsman who coached Namibia, are the other two contenders for the job.

Well well so do our contracts allow us to speak up now or is it only the preserve of the captain cos and is he really speaking on behalf of all the players? Cos I am sure other players would love to speak and say their mind as well.

And to say that Grant is the best ever and we will never have another like him, yes not like him but a better on of course.

[bayhaus]

Screen Shot 2013-02-06 at 5.18.47 PM.png (172 KiB) Viewed 2320 times

zcTweets: Streak and Flower add the most value in prep. On-tour strategy is in the capable hands of Butch and Taylor who are up for the job

That was a really good answer else what is the role of the coach and the captain?

[brmtaylor.com admin]

So the specialist coaches could be travelling at WICB's expense?
Obviously this is not a cricketing decision then.

[hhm]

So the specialist coaches could be travelling at WICB's expense?
Obviously this is not a cricketing decision then.

I don;t suppose they're walking there and back?