Waller says no to Streak, Brent helps out for free

[CrimsonAvenger]

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.”

[zimfan93]

Good on Brent- that's what we need, more guys who's loyalty is to the cap rather than the dollar.

[jaybro]

Good on Brent- that's what we need, more guys who's loyalty is to the cap rather than the dollar.

Being a tad narrow minded mate playing Test Cricket and ODI's requires players and their Countries to be ' Fully Professional ' which would in turn require these players, coaches and administrators to be fulltime players, coaches and administrators. So asking people to do things for free in a professional environment is well not very professional !!!

Players and coaches deserved to be paided.

On the fact of Gary Brent helping coach the bowlers I think is a great plus always thought Brent was a smart bowler, with no much pace or swing he made the most of what he had and had to revert to ' out smarting ' batsman to gain his wickets. I think a player like that will have more to offer as a coach than a player with more natural talent since they had to be more of a ' Thinker ' than the more talented players.

On Heath Streak I think Zimbabwe are nuts to let him go it won't be long before he is snapped up by a County side or national team for that matter and he will never look back once he starts getting paided !!!! I understand money is tight right now but surely Streak is worth more than Mongongo !!!
I know this will start a bit of a debate but surely the batting and bowling coaches can also fill the void of an assistant coach ??? If Mongongo was deemed not good enough for top spot I think there is no point keeping him as an assistant if there isn't enough money for specialist coaches which i think are more important !!!!

[ZIMDOGGY]

i have sensed for a while ZC are dissatisfied with Streaks coaching.
I have also sensed that they have huge wraps on grant for whatever reason.

Also in Wallers first interview he made a vague reference to not needing a bowling coach.


Personally i have seen some evidence Streak is a good coach, and evidence he has the potency of a potato gun so i am on the fence (Likewise i have this opinion of Grant, for anyone who cares). Important to note however that some players dont make good coaches and some coaches dont make players. Although people who have been there and done it are still more preferable.

[ZIMDOGGY]

Also i can see the makings of an excellent coach in Brent. He runs the Mountaineers facebook page, interacts with fans (clearly he is passionate).

And moreso, the guy had absolutely no natural talent. bowled them at 110 an hour with a top of 120- social league stuff.

However his thoughts and skill and tactics got him to a decent level. Was an outstanding t20 bowler from memory.
If he had his mind with Gerald aliseni natural pace he could have been Steynlike.... and as a coach, its the MENTAL stuff that can be shared around.

[jaybro]

Also i can see the makings of an excellent coach in Brent. He runs the Mountaineers facebook page, interacts with fans (clearly he is passionate).

And moreso, the guy had absolutely no natural talent. bowled them at 110 an hour with a top of 120- social league stuff.

However his thoughts and skill and tactics got him to a decent level. Was an outstanding t20 bowler from memory.
If he had his mind with Gerald aliseni natural pace he could have been Steynlike.... and as a coach, its the MENTAL stuff that can be shared around.

My thoughts exactly

Not sure about Bhundu saying Zim don't need a bowling coach I think they're very important !!!

[CrimsonAvenger]

I had a very similar observation about Streak. There must be more to this Streak ouster, given that he has received absolutely no support whatsoever from any corner after his ouster. Taylor mentioned Flower in his Facebook outburst but not Streak, and no one else talked about his inputs / insights in helping bowlers in the team. He had to blow his own trumpet in an interview with Firdose Moonda. Looks very interesting. He probably did not get along with many people? He did not actually have much to contribute in the finer aspects? (Not every great player can automatically become a great coach - Kapil Dev wasn't one). He probably had ego issues or his inaction about Querl did not go down too well with others?

Kyle Mills said he gained a lot from him though, when Streak had a stint with Auckland during Champions League last year.

Brent - Yes, he was a thinking cricketer, passionate cricketer, and has been a very good motivator at Mountaineers. So, he can be of great help for sure.

But I still do not understand what Mangongo brings to the table in his capacity of "assistant coach", apart from kicking people around and maintaining racial balance.

[totoro]

Players and coaches deserved to be paided.

Why do keep using paided? You even added a d to deserve. Sorry.

I was really disappointed with Streak's handling of Querl during the domestic season. However he's done a great job with Mpofu, Jarvis, Meth & Shingi, so I hope he stays with the Tuskers, and is there if needed.

[eugene]

I wonder Mangongo does each day?

[samedwards]

I wonder Mangongo does each day?

Isn't that the million dollar question?