but important learning curveGrace Chirumanzu (GC): We bowed out of the ICC World Cup during the competitions group stages; would you look back at events and say it was worthwhile for Zimbabwe to participate?
Grant Flower (GF): It was definitely worthy going there. There were a lot of positives especially in regard to our spin bowling and one of our seam bowlers, Chris Mpofu. Our bowling was good and there were a couple of good batting performances by Brendan Taylor and our middle order batsmen (Prosper) Utseya and (Graeme) Cremer. But obviously there were a few negatives with regards to our general batting. We have quite a lot to learn especially when it comes to dealing with pressure; the batsmen dont deal with pressure quite well on international level. We need to play more international cricket for the players to improve but it has to come from within the players. They need to dedicate themselves to it.
GC: It is ironic how our batting last year used to be so impressive while the bowling struggled; this year is vice versa. Why do you think this is so?
GF: Yes thats a good question, but obviously last year I was not here. From what I heard the batting was quite impressive but I cant really tell why this has changed. Maybe its the batting coach (laughs.) Cricket and professional sports is all about learning; even in life you learn from your mistakes and always try to improve as long as one has the right culture and flex. The boys have the right work ethics as well as the management so things should go along in a positive fashion.
GC: How do you see us making the transition from one day international cricket to the longer version of the game later this year?
GF: They are totally different games and they need to be prepared in a different manner. We need to play more of four day cricket and batsmen need to get used to batting all day long. Its up to us to create that culture in the nets and they need to become mentally tougher and make the right decisions. They will need to make some sacrifices in regards with the way they prepare, their lifestyle, their diet and thinking of the game more; thats the way you become mentally tough.
But we are always going to have problems in Zimbabwe Cricket because we have a very small player base compared to other countries. We have a very small population and there are a lot of things that arent enough – like professional training equipment. At the same time though we have to get ourselves over those hurdles and pick ourselves up. We have some good spinners and batsmen that we can rely on but they still need to prove themselves on a more consistent level.
GC: Can we look forward to seeing Zimbabwe getting past the group stages in the next World Cup considering that we have four years to plan before the big event?
GF: I think the most important thing is to create toughened cricketers, toughened cricketers who think the right way and smart about the way the go around the course of business. So, Im talking of creating the right culture. If I was the head coach; of which Im not, that would be my four-year-plan and hopefully along the way everything will come into focus because you dont want to look too much ahead of yourselves but deal with the present.
Post published in: Cricket