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BACK IN THE FOLD . . . Alistair Campbell has returned to the Zimbabwe Cricket structures with an influential role

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Wilson Manase says the door is open to former national team players who wish to have their input in the development of the game. Manase, who took over the reins from long-serving administrator Peter Chingoka last year, says time has come to do away with the polarisation and negativity and focus on growing the game.

The Harare lawyer made the remarks while announcing the return of former national team captain Alistair Campbell into the ZC structures as managing director cricket.

Campbell is expected to start his duties this month. His arrival coincided with the coming in of new coach Dav Whatmore, who was unveiled on Tuesday with the mandate to lead the team to the ICC World Cup scheduled for Australia and New Zealand next month.

Manase, who appeared to be responding to the recent stinging criticism by former national team player Stuart Carlisle following the team’s heavy losses in Bangladesh, hinted that more technical people with previous experience at national team level could be roped in.

ZC are still to pick the batting coach but former Test bowler Douglas Hondo is the bowling coach and will double as assistant to Whatmore.

“We are moving to ensure that our technical staff are very technical; they appreciate the nature of the game and where we are going. I have already told you the board has made a decision on Alistair Campbell, who is coming in January to take over as MD cricket.

“The question of former players wanting to assist, that is given, we said let’s do. I was talking to Alistair (Campbell) before he went on holiday and he was telling me he engaged some of the former players who write in your newspapers about this and that on cricket. Some don’t come directly through you but they go on the internet and they write various stories about cricket.

“My goal is to build the game and I will achieve it. I have given myself a timeframe and I will achieve it but at the same time it is not good to write whilst you sit on the terraces. Come forward and if you have something to assist, do so. Don’t just criticise.

“If you think there is something you want to do no one has closed the door for you. Come and add value if you think you can . . . And, of course, you can see Dav coming here after we discussed at short notice. It takes us great pleasure to ensure that the game of cricket will move forward,” said Manase.

Zimbabwe has a host of former national team players who are dotted around the world but have not been able to give back to their country.

Some of them, who include the likes of Dave Houghton, Andy Flower, Heath streak, Paul Strang, Grant Flower, are working overseas in technical capacity.

The progress of cricket has been held back by boardroom squabbles and the difficult financial situation which drove away some of the promising talents over the years. Zimbabwe has been losing players profusely, some of whom retired in their prime.

New national team coach Whatmore also added his voice on the continued loss of talent and urged ZC to create a favourable environment to retain the best cricket personnel.

“From a person who is outside looking in, it’s been a little bit of a worrying situation, the latest one being (Kyle) Jarvis this year. That’s not a good thing. It’s always good to have your best representing your country.

“I feel confident in saying that all of these boys would dearly love to play for their country, Zimbabwe, but from time to time the conditions and situations that exist may not have been favourable to them.

“But I think going forward we would like to create the right environment where this sort of thing does not happen in the future,” said Whatmore.

The Australian will not waste time on his new job as he is set for his first appointment with his players tomorrow in his first training session to step up preparations for the ICC World Cup 2015.

Zimbabwe World Cup Squad

Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Luke Jongwe, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Solomon Mire, Peter Moore, Tawanda Mupariwa, Natsai M’shangwe, Cuthbert Musoko, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams and Cephas Zhuwao.