The Briton said the players, most of them admittedly not good enough for any national side, still deserved a pat on the back, as they had remained resolute in the numerous frustrations they faced behind the scenes.
“Those boys have big hearts,” he said.“They have been lied to a lot and I am sure they must be tired of that now. They could have worn the national team jersey simply out of honour, although at times they would get absolutely nothing from it.”
Butcher said it was at times tough to raise the team’s morale, adding that on many occasions he was tempted to opt out of his contract after Zimbabwe Cricket failed to meet its end of the bargain.
“I only managed to hang on because I am a professional and wanted to fulfil my reasons for coming to Zimbabwe. I wanted to see the game grow and I believe I have managed to nurture talent in this country,” he said.
Senior national team players have gone for as many as six assignments, including tours, without being paid, but Zimbabwe Cricket recently promised an initial $100 a week allowance and subsequently, five-month contracts on $800-a-month allowances for those with no central contracts. It remains to be seen if these promises will be fulfilled.
Post published in: Football