2011 Review of Cricket...Zimbabwe's Fight back

[sloandog]

Review of the 2012/13 international season for Zimbabwe

It's been a long time coming hasn't it....
It's been a long time since we've seen a Zimbabwean Cricket side as strong, as stable and as talented as this. Many Zimbabwean Cricket fans will remember fondly of the times when they had a reputation of upsetting sides when it really mattered. Many will remember the golden period between 1998-2003/04 when the stars and legends of Zimbabwean Cricket were in full flow.
The days when Heath Streak and his young apprentice Andy Blignaut attacked the crease with fire in their belly and determination in their eyes. The days when Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower, brother Grant and the Zimbabwean batting heroes tour bowling attacks to shreds with their sumptuous stroke play. Who will ever forgot that crisp cover drive from the master Andy Flower, or Murray Goodwin's pull shot for 6 off Shaun Pollock. Those memories will live on for ever....

As the years went by, new players came, and new players left the organisation. The 'rebel' saga plagued Zimbabwean Cricket for years, and in doing so they lost players, administrators, sponsors, but more importantly their reputation. What was once a proud cricketing nation became a joke within a matter of months, and for the 4-5 years to come it was never looked upon otherwise.

But in 2009, things changed. A new domestic structure had been put in place, players were returning, sponsors were putting faith in the nation once more, money was beginning to pump again and former players and officials were queuing up for jobs behind the scenes. Heath Streak, Ali Campbell, Grant Flower and Dave Houghton to name a few of the former heroes of Zimbabwean Cricket. By the winter of 2010, things were looking up, and the make-up of the side was beginning to take shape. Former rebels Ray Price and Sean Ervine pledged their services to Zimbabwean Cricket, ensuring Alistair Campbell and his back room staff that the future was beginning to look bright again. Young talents were beginning to be un-earthed. Brendan Taylor scored frequently heavy in 2010, along with his batting partners Hamilton Mazakadza and Craig Ervine. Graeme Cremer, Ray Price and Prosper Utsea lead the way with the ball while young speed star Shingrai Mazakadza was beginning to show the public of what he was to become. He and Chris Mpofu took the new ball and, under the guidance of national team bowling coach Heath Streak, developed a strong new ball paring for the tours of Bangladesh and Namibia.

2011 was fast approaching and the world cup was just around the corner, and Zimbabwean Cricket was looking as strong as ever. The inclusion of Sean Ervine and fast bowler Anthony Ireland, who had previously signed a 2 year deal with Middlesex, made the 15 man squad look a fierce unit.
In doing so, the CWC was a huge success for the young African team. Brendan Taylor scored the fastest world cup hundred against New Zealand, having gone past John Davison of Canada, scoring 122 runs from just 70 deliveries. His words after the innings were something to cherish;

"Ya i mean over the years we've been classed as a poor unit, you know. I mean we've had players who had the talent, but never the determination. But these past 2 years have been amazing and I'm proud to finally be playing in a side with unity and passion to win. In the 2007 World Cup, yano we were told to play and do our best. Streaky and Gobby have really drilled some toughness into us, and to score one of the fastest hundreds in world cup history is just something i'll remember for the rest of my life..."

Along with Taylor, Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer and fast bowler Anthony Ireland took 2 wickets in every game they played, while skipper Ray Price kept the run rate steady. "the batters batted, and the bowlers bowled", as Geoff Boycott said after the tournament. They were eventually knocked out by England, who had a very strong unit on show. Only Sean Ervine and Sean Williams could secure half centuries in the match for Zimbabwe, but even still, their reputation had been restored.

2011 was another year of positive results. In their first test back Zimbabwe steam rolled a very talented and dangerous Bangladeshi side. Vusi Sibanda and Terry Duffin secured centuries while debutant Stephen Marrilliar outlined his talent with a classy 77*. Anthony Ireland and new speed sensation Tendai Chitara took wickets when they were needed, and as a result Zimbabwe won by an innings and 2 runs. The world of cricket were beginning to realise the Zimbabwean Cricket had come full circle, and they were once again on top of their game.

But 2011 was the year skipper Ray Price retired. He retired sighting back problems, but was eager to help out alongside Streak and Flower. He held a press conference at Bulawayo on August of that year;
"Firstly i would like to thank my family for supporting me throughout my time as a Zimbabwean Cricketer. It's never easy when your husband or your daddy is away for most of the year. I'd like to Thank Zimbabwean cricket for all its support. We've had some bad times and some terrible times, but we mainly had some excellent time, times i'll cherish for the rest of my life. I'd like to thank the players and administrators for being behind me 100% after i'd taken on the captaincy. It's always a huge step and for me it was the best thing i'd done for my entire career. Thank you, and goodbye".
It took Price 2 weeks to become the spin coach of the national side.....

Part 2......coming up

[andybligz]

be nice if ireland returned . u have quiet a mind there i must say sloan

[brockley]

Ireland is coming over next season for 3 one dayers.

[Zimfanatic69]

Love it Sloandog.

I hope it comes true.

Have a great Xmas break mate.

[sloandog]

Love it Sloandog.

I hope it comes true.

Have a great Xmas break mate.

I know it'd be great !!
Yeah you too bro