Disharmony in Zimbabwe cricket

Zimbabwean cricket has been flung into disarray on the eve of its return to test cricket.

Convenor of selectors, Alistair Campbell, has criticised wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu for sowing discord in the set up after Taibu alleged that a lack of professionalism and funds was damaging the game.

The wicket-keeper batsman also said that not much had changed since self-imposed test hiatus almost six years ago and administrators were “struggling to run cricket well.”  

“I disagree with the timing of what he said and I don’t think he has done himself or Zimbabwe cricket any favours,” Campbell said to reporters on Wednesday. “I don’t think he fully understands the fall-out from this.”

Campbell came out in defence of the administration and said he would speak to Taibu after his outburst and the pair were seen exchanging words on the outfield of the Harare Sports Club after the team’s practice session on Wednesday. They held conversation for 15 minutes, each gesturing emphatically and parted company without shaking hands and with Campbell looking less than satisfied.

Taibu is likely to keep his place in the starting XI despite his comments.

With 24 Test caps, Taibu is the most experienced player in the current squad. He is only one of three players that took the field the last time Zimbabwe played in a test match five years ago. He spent time in Namibia, South Africa and Bangladesh, but returned home in 2007.

That was during the worst period of cricket in the country, following Zimbabwe’s voluntary withdrawal from test cricket in 2006. Domestic cricket ground to a halt and club facilities were left to degenerate.

In 2009, cricket got back on its feet with the return of former players such as Heath Streak and Grant Flower to the coaching structures and the securing of sponsors for the domestic competitions. Now, they believe they are ready to return to the top tier.

“This is obviously big for us,” Taibu said. “Personally, I enjoy test cricket and other guys in the changeroom have also been craving for it.”

Despite their inexperience in this format, Taibu said the number of first-class games and recently completed tour matches against a strong Australia A showed that Zimbabwe have grown as a cricket nation. “I was pleased to see the guys show some maturity in the tour matches and put in a good performance. We know that we have some players we can rely on.”  

Zimbabwe’s opponents, Bangladesh, are also returning from to test cricket after a prolonged absence. They have not played a test in 14 months, because of scheduling and look forward to a return to the place where they first won a test away from home.

“We will obviously have to adjust to the conditions but we have no reason to be nervous,” Shakib al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain said. “Test cricket is the format where you show your class, your discipline and your mentality. For me, it is the ultimate form of the game, there’s no doubt.”