The popular narrative is that
Tatenda Taibu quit international cricket
four years ago
because he had seen the light, specifically the light of the Lord. Now
he is making a comeback to the game, in an administrative capacity,
because he is hoping to to turn some lights on, specifically at the
Harare Sports Club (HSC).
Taibu has accepted a role as Zimbabwe Cricket's
convener of selectors and development officer, a position he will take up next month, and one of his missions is to install floodlights at the country's premier ground. It may sound like that should be a peripheral priority but Taibu has a
compelling reason for putting it near the top of his list. "Most ICC
limited-overs events are played under lights and our players don't get
any experience of that at home, so they are not used to it at all," he
said from the UK, where he has been based for the last few years. "They
need to be able to compete in those tournaments."
Given where Zimbabwe cricket is at the moment, that is both a reasonable
and realistic aim. Zimbabwe were the only Full Member not to qualify
for the last two World T20 main draws. They have
won only three matches
in their last two 50-over World Cups, all of them against Associates.
Given their ranking of 11th in ODI cricket, they cannot even dream of
qualifying for the Champions Trophy. So while their absence of a Test
ranking is worrying but rectifiable if they play enough matches, the
need to do something drastic to improve their limited-overs record is
pressing.
Pylons have been
up at HSC for years
and the lights are also there, having spent months at Harare airport
awaiting payment for being released. The only problem is that the lights
are not on the pylons. If Taibu can arrange for them to get there,
Zimbabwe can start playing day-night cricket, provided ZC has the funds
to switch them on. And that would be Taibu's next concern.
A year before he quit the game, Taibu
criticised ZC's structures,
which included their financials. He stunned the international press by
revealing how players did not have contracts and were not paid match
fees on the eve of their Test comeback in 2011. Now he admits he does
not know whether there is cash in the coffers but he intends to find out
as soon as possible. "I don't know anything about the current financial
status. I am not involved there but I would like to know so I can get a
clearer and better picture," he said. "I'm sure when I get there, I
will find out."
That alone should reassure Zimbabwean fans: the knowledge that someone
of Taibu's calibre is committed to their cricket. But why now? Since his international retirement, Taibu has been living in the UK.
Contrary to popular belief, he has not become a pastor. "When I said I
got a calling from the Lord, people thought I was going to start
preaching, but I am not a pastor.
"I am just a Christian and I live a Christian life," Taibu said. "If
somebody wants me to pray with them or if there are families who want
someone to speak to, if I can get an opportunity like that, I will take
it because I believe as a Christian, you must be able to touch people's
lives and give them hope."
He has also been involved in club cricket a bit as a
player-coach-development-officer, for Liverpool second-division side
Hightown St Mary's, who he joined in April. He is also working on his
autobiography, which is what made him realise that he would have to
return to Zimbabwe.
"In writing, I have seen that when I recall an incident from when I was
ten years old, for example, then my understanding of the situation is
that of a ten-year-old. I need to find people who have a better
understanding of those situations," he said. "For that I have to go back
to Zimbabwe and talk to people like [former national coach] Stephen
Mangongo and [former Under-19 coach] Walter Chawaguta, as well as some
of my teachers from primary school and high school."
While Taibu mulled a return to his homeland, he was also in touch with
Peter Chingoka, former chairman and an honorary life president of the
board, who has urged him to come back to contribute to the game.
In the
last month, Taibu decided to take him up, primarily because he believes
there is something worth saving in Zimbabwe. "If I didn't see that there
was something there, I wouldn't go," Taibu said. "I believe there is
something that can be done and I want to do it."
The "something" that needs doing involves rebuilding a cricket culture,
which Taibu thinks Zimbabwe has lost, and which he has had experience of
creating in Liverpool, where he is also involved in recruitment. "You
have to get players involved in the community, get kids from schools to
play at clubs, that's how you develop a system," he said.
Replicating that in Zimbabwe will be tricky because even though the
country is still home to prestigious sporting schools, the club
structures have deteriorated and the domestic franchise system is in
trouble. That will make Taibu's task tougher as he aims to deepen the
player pool. He intends to take a pragmatic approach to things by
analysing what resources are already there, nurturing them and looking
for additions.
"My own assessment is there is a negative vibe at the moment. It is
quite tough in Zimbabwe - not just in cricket, the country as a whole is
struggling. Zimbabwe cricket needs to be treated with a little bit of
love for now. There are many areas that need fixing but we will have to
fix them one thing at a time.
"We will have to look at the player base and see if there are players
around who can eventually replace the ones who are already there. I want
to start working with guys at a slightly lower level so that if those
players go up to international level, they are at a certain standard
already. Otherwise, as a group, they will be under pressure."
Taibu speaks from experience. He was part of the young crop that
succeeded the white-player walkout in 2004 and struggled because of
inexperience. That bunch of cricketers was also up against an
administration that seemed to constantly thwart their efforts - with
regular changes in coaching staff, contract disputes, and infrequent
fixtures - and Taibu does not want the current crop to endure those
difficulties.
He intends to be the bridge between the players and their
administrators, and has promised to be upfront with all parties - as he
is known to be. "Everyone I have played with and the administrative
people who knew me know me as a person who does not beat around the
bush. Whether I am liked or disliked, people trust me," he said. "I am
trusted by the white community, the black community, the Asian
community. Even if we disagree, it's like brothers in a family. There
will be fights but you hope that they don't fight in public. They know
that's what Tatenda is like and they want to work with someone like
that."
Taibu is confident his suggestions will be taken seriously even if they
involve reaching out to people ZC has cut ties with, such as former
players. "I would definitely want to involve former players but not just
them. I want to reach out to anyone who has dealt with Zimbabwe cricket
and has knowledge of it. There are lots of people who have worked in
the system who have something to contribute."
For now, ZC have engaged the services of two big names from one of their neighbouring countries, South Africa.
Makhaya Ntini
is the interim head coach and Lance Klusener the batting consultant.
Taibu hopes both will stay with the team in some capacity, if only
because of their stature and the impact that can have.
"I knew Makhaya very well as a player. During the Champions Trophy in
Sri Lanka in 2002, I was in my early years and he was struggling to make
the South Africa team, so we used to train together on the beach,"
Taibu remembered. "He definitely has energy and that's something we need
in the country. We have to try and create a unique attitude among
players so that cricket becomes known for something in Zimbabwe.
Something good."
For a while, the good in Zimbabwe cricket was known because of players
like Taibu. His dedication and determination provided a boost, and
already there is excitement over having that back. There is also an
anticipation that, at 33, Taibu may consider a comeback of the playing
kind too, especially as Zimbabwe are yet to announce a new Test captain.
Those wishing for that will be disappointed. Taibu is adamant that is
one light that has been turned off. "That's really gone," he said. "I
have closed the door on coming back to play."
First published by ESPNcricinfo
