He is 29 years old, which means I would say he still has at least another 5-6 good years left of cricket in him. To lose your test captain and best batsman is without doubt the worst thing that could happen to a team.
It raises some questions for me.
1) If he is leaving, what did ZC and the coaching staff do to stop it, or what made him choose to leave now?
2) Why is no one from ZC coming out and saying anything about this. Not even the player? All the speculation and information is coming from British sources at the moment. ZC and Taylor are not really treating Zim fans right by remaining silent. I can understand if they probably thinking that lets just focus on the last game and then we will take it from there, but I think news of this magnitude would need to be addressed.
3) If Taylor is retiring, what is happening that has forced him to do so? If anyone wanted to leave Zim, during Mangongo would have been the good time. With Whatmore at the helm, you would think that there could only be benefit and perhaps some light going forward.
4) They say he has signed as cover, does this mean that he will actually play or will he just be backup. If he is backup, then why retire from International cricket? What benefit is there in that.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
To those saying 'why now'? Its pretty obvious. He was waiting to play the world cup. The cricketing showpiece.
2003 was similar for us. Damage was probably done in the stupid mangongo era
How much difference in pay is it really though?
BT is the highest paid by zc over the table. Does anyone have any insight into county contracts?
and probably no official statement by zc yet because they maybe in the dark.
I think all hopes not lost yet. It seems a tempirary hiatus. Also hes good eniugh I believe to chase a full infernational player spot. If he nails india he can brag about being a top 3 run getter.
Cricinfo profile of the 'James Bond' of cricket:
FULL NAME: Angus James Mackay
BORN: 13 June 1967, Harare
KNOWN AS: Gus Mackay
Through all the bad times and un-certainty which Zim cricket has been through as a fan I always felt hopeful knowing BRMT was there, 'it'll be ok BT is still here'. Without him around it just won't be the same he has been the main stay for so long and is my favourite player even when we loose as long as BRMT gets runs I'm happy.
In all sports stars come and go and we must find new stars to follow but that's the problem with Zim cricket there are no new stars coming through, you need some one to pass the baton onto like Waugh did to Ponting and Ponting to Clarke and Clarke will do to Smith, I think if Moor, Kasuza, Burl etc were ready to take on the baton I would feel better but as for now I'm just hopeing BRMT comes out and says he isn't retiring .....
If BT leaves, I imagine Williams very well could also. Imagine this batting lineup, scary indeed - a nervous opening pair followed by a very soft middle order.
1. Sikandar Raza
2. Chamu Chibhabha
3. Hamilton Masakadza
4. Vusi Sibanda
5. Stuart Matsikenyeri
6. Craig Ervine
7. Solomon Mire
8. Elton Chigumbura
+ 3 bowlers
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
eugene wrote:If BT leaves, I imagine Williams very well could also. Imagine this batting lineup, scary indeed - a nervous opening pair followed by a very soft middle order.
1. Sikandar Raza
2. Chamu Chibhabha
3. Hamilton Masakadza
4. Vusi Sibanda
5. Stuart Matsikenyeri
6. Craig Ervine
7. Solomon Mire
8. Elton Chigumbura
+ 3 bowlers
I doubt Solomon Mire will stay. There is too much on offer for him in Australia, even if it is just club cricket for Essendon.
