Waller says no to Streak, Brent helps out for free
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 3:44 pm
http://dailynews.co.zw/article/Sport/51 ... f47ec0037a
HARARE - New Zimbabwe cricket coach Andy ‘Bundu’ Waller has written off chances of Heath Streak re-joining the technical department, saying the current combination is sufficiently equipped to guide the team.
Streak was relieved of his duties as the national team’s bowling coach after his contract expired in March, apparently due to financial woes. The current technical department is made up of Waller as head coach, assistant coach Steve Mangongo and batting coach Grant Flower.
The coming on board of the new head coach sparked talk of a possible reunion for Waller and Streak. The two are former Zimbabwe teammates, although Streak was a junior member of the squad at the time while Waller was in the twilight stages of his international career.
But in a recent interview with the Daily News, Waller poured water on such a reunion.
“Look, Heath is obviously a very good coach but we know the reasons behind that,” Waller told the Daily News in reference to Streak’s exit.
“The (ZC cricket) committee made the decision last year; I think it was that we only needed one assistant coach, possibly a batting coach. When I feel it’s necessary, I will bring other specialised bowling coaches, probably from South Africa. That’s what we will do in the time being.
“We all know finances are pretty tight at the moment and we are just trying to do what we can with what we have and hopefully the sponsors can start supporting cricket again. But in the meantime, I think Grant, Steve and myself are qualified enough to help the bowlers.”
Meanwhile, Manicaland Mountaineers coach and ex-Zimbabwe seam bowler Gary Brent is currently assisting the team in the bowling department ahead of next month’s five-match ODI home series with India.
“He’s just doing it for free,” explained Waller.
“I have asked guys I know have got the knowledge and these guys are coming up and giving advice. He is (Brent) a good coach, he knows what he’s talking about, he’s got an extra eye and extra ideas but he’s not part of the team.”