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What didf everyone think of Gary Brent as a player?

Gary (or Barry Grunt as he likes to be known) retired young in 2008,which was a little before my time here on ZCF.

I rarely see him mentioned as a player on the forum. We talk about everyone but Gary who seems to dodge attention here like a ghost...despite being at the top for a decade.

FWIW,
I thought he was slow, couldnt grab many wickets but could keep things very tight and stable in a very unstable team.

He was also an absolute gun 20/20 bowler and one ofthe best in the world at the time around 7/8. but admittredly im more of a scorecard analysist here and i wasnt that into ZC like i am now during the ugly years.

Gary Brent was an invaluable player for Zimbabwe during the so-called 'dark years'. He deserves to be held in high regard as he returned when many were still unwilling to do so. There was nothing really impressive about his bowling but he was solid limited overs bowler who would rarely get hammered but would rarely take 5 wickets either. But when our other young bowlers were spraying it around the place Brent was a welcome respite.

It is interesting how this forum has grown since the 'dark days'. Having never given up following Zimbabwean cricket I can still remember us on this forum discussing if Dabengwa should be in the side or if Rinke could be classified as an allrounder. I also remember our rejoicing in a series victory over Kenya. How times have changed.

I never really turned my back on them I still had my eye on every scorecard - still read my cricinfo articles but I wasn't huddled around a dodgy streaming link containing even dodgier Indian ads and refreshing ZCF every 2 minutes on the iPhone like I am now.

Actually it's kind of odd. Especially around 05/06 I had some hate in my hearts for the monkeys running the ZC asylum at the time. I wanted the team to burn and crash (temporarily) just so I can make the powers that be see that what they were doing, what their policies were ruining at the time.... After my favorites went I wanted the rest to leave so I could laugh at ZC. I think in a way the world joined me and it's kick started the recovery efforts to where we are now, although some scars still remain in ZC it's looking better.

ZIMDOGGY wrote:He was also an absolute gun 20/20 bowler and one ofthe best in the world at the time around 7/8. but admittredly im more of a scorecard analysist here and i wasnt that into ZC like i am now during the ugly years.

Not one of the best in the world, but yes, he had his work horse approach and was taking the pace off the ball (actaully didn't have the pace) which made it difficult for the trigger happy batsmen to go after him in the T20s. Highlight of his career must be the way he bowled in the T20 WC win over Australia (in tendem with Chigs) and also the game against SA, where he got a 50, and bowled well too. Both these came in his second spell with Zim Cricket.

He had however struggled to get a look in into the national team in late 90's and early 2000's when he was at his peak, largely because there were better options around. He was mainly a bowler, but with less pace, and he could not get in as an all rounder as well. Guy Whittall's presence probably denied him any regular chances in the main team (and rightly so). But yes, a lion hearted likable character who would be one of the unsung heroes of the dark era.

Intrestingly in Henry Olonga's autobiography (I cant stand Olonga) he cited gary Brent as the only player who appolgised to him after Olgana had a racist arugument with the whole white contingent of the sqaud .

Yes sauramba looked good, a lot of power and he played straight, him Kasasua, Waller and Khia could be the next generation that we have been looking for to replace the guys who have been in the national setup for the last 8 years

The mrs is getting me that for Christmas, Is it a good read Zimfan ? Interesting ?

sloandog wrote:The mrs is getting me that for Christmas, Is it a good read Zimfan ? Interesting ?

in
yes it is an interesting read and gives a lot of insight to what it was like in the Zimbabwe team in the 90's but for me Olonga comes across as to self rightous and the way he has used the situation in Zimbabwe to in a sense make money for himself (lets face hit he's not that great a singer) annoys me

I remained loyal during the dark years, even though I was really angry about the whole situation. Gary Brent was solid, reliable, he had good FC experience when almost everyone else was lacking it.

He did well to get to 75 ODI wickets. I thought he retired too young. A bit like Rennie, he left way too early.

zimfan1 wrote:

sloandog wrote:the way he has used the situation in Zimbabwe to in a sense make money for himself

Really? I always felt he lost more than he gained from his stance...which can easily lead to self-rightousness (his own percieved sacrifices being all that's left). he's hardly got a glowing musical career - it's about in line with his musical talent - he has an audience.

Anyway, GB, solid but unpectacular...and seemingly a nice fellow...all the ingredients to be overlooked!

bubbles bursting; mid-naughties were interesting times...