NewsHawks 15 October 2021

NewsHawks Sport Page 51
equally important, or more important,
Issue 52, 15 October 2021 ‘It was a quiet way of saying will be the younger guys in Wessly
goodbye and thank you’ (Madhevere), Milton (Shumba), Bless-
From page 48 me to decide, it’s for people to decide the tail. So it might not be one of the came in and changed the whole mind- ing (Muzarabani) has been fantastic
So I just wanted to fly under the that.  Those are players that I will al- prettiest innings, but it was one of the set.” and there is Tarisai (Musakanda). These
ways look up to and always hold above most important because it contributed are the guys that can make a huge dif-
radar and share that moment with my me in terms of what they have done for towards a win.” Following his 2015 World Cup hero- ference as long as, I believe, Stuey Mat-
teammates, family, friends and fans Zimbabwe cricket. But I’m grateful to ics, Taylor was then part of a team that sikenyeri and Dougie Hondo are there,
across the world. be even considered in that category.” Taylor captained Zimbabwe on the failed to qualify for the next edition, they understand these young guys and
country’s return to Test cricket in 2011, following a fateful defeat to minnows they have the work ethic to push the
So that was a quiet way of saying Wicketkeeper-batsman Taylor, who the team’s first time in whites since United Arab Emirates in a must-win team forward. I don’t know what’s hap-
goodbye and thank you.” played international cricket for the first 2005, and the talismanic batter led the match of a qualification competition pening with the head coach but, you
time at the age of 18 – went on to amass side to a victorious 130-run comeback hosted by Zimbabwe.  It was the first know, I think a change is needed to
Taylor retired just 62 runs short of 10 34 Tests, 205 ODIs and 45 T20Is for win over Bangladesh in Harare. time that Zimbabwe had not played in freshen things up a little bit. Qualifying
000 runs in international cricket. Had Zimbabwe between 2004 and 2021 – the 50-over World Cup since 1983. For for the World Cup would be a priority
he achieved that feat, he would have be- posting enviable personal records that Zimbabwe, after a lengthy rough pe- Taylor, that episode remains one of the and I know that the players are desper-
come the third Zimbabwean batsman he could have easily been bettered if his riod in the team’s history, had hit some lowest moments of his career.  ately keen to get that.”
to do so, only after the world-famous international career had not been in- kind of purple patch around that time.
brothers Andy and Grant Flower. terrupted, and had he played for a side “The 2018 qualifiers are still a bit- A natural leader and good friend of
with enough depth to enable its best At the 2015 World Cup in Austral- ter pill to swallow, I’ve struggled to let teammates from different backgrounds,
But there are no regrets for the Hara- players execute collective teamwork.  asia, Taylor’s 433 runs were the highest go of that,” said Taylor. “We started Taylor has paid tribute to some of his
re-born elegant right-hander, no inten- by a Zimbabwean in a single edition, the competition so well. But when we best colleagues over the past 17 years of
tion at all to want to pick up bat again But Taylor is not one to dwell too exceeding greats like Dave Houghton had our most important game, we had his international career. 
and correct things. much on what could have been. In-be- and Andy Flower.  A large chunk of our poorest game of the campaign. We
tween the defeats, a lot them extremely Taylor’s transformation into a world- had two bites of the cherry against the “My best teammates over the years
“I’m not disappointed at all to fall forgettable, there have been moments class player, back then, took place when West Indies, which we played nicely, have been Charles Coventry, Graeme
short of that 10 000-run mark,” said to savour.  Englishman Alan Butcher was Zimba- but unfortunately, we just lost towards Cremer, I mean, they’ve been close
Taylor. “I could have stayed for another bwe’s head coach. the end. And then the UAE, that was a mates of mine off-field, I’ve had great
year and certainly surpassed that. But I “My best memories with Zimbabwe tough one to swallow. We had put in a fun with them overseas and on tours,”
felt the time was there, that I had done cricket would be, one, making my de- But there was the batting coach lot of work and the team was in a good Taylor said.
enough for Zimbabwe cricket. Yeah, but, two, representing my country and Grant Flower, the former Zimbabwe space – performance from (Sikandar)
sure, I probably could have played on captaining my country,” Taylor said.  star, who Taylor credits for his revolu- Raza, (Graeme) Cremer, myself, that “There are some great blokes in that
for a little bit. But, you know, when you tion. really glued the side together. So yeah, side, Craig Ervine has always been a
start considering retirement, then may- “Then, you know, Test cricket wins it’s something I struggle to forget about, loyal friend. Sikandar Raza too. Taten-
be it is time to retire. So records and against Bangladesh, Pakistan, those “Certainly, I considered myself to being part of that 2019 World Cup da Taibu, I’ve been close with him for
stuff aren’t that important. It’s just how stand out most. A series win against have a bit of talent in the beginning would have been a special one. But it a number of years, just from day one.
much you can give back, how much Bangladesh, beating New Zealand in a and relied on that for too long until I was not to be.” Vusi Sibanda is another one that comes
younger players can feed off you, how tight contest in Bulawayo (by one wick- met Grant Flower and I realised what to mind, Stuey Matsikenyeri, these are
you’ve contributed to Zimbabwe crick- et with one ball remaining in an ODI a work ethic should look like, and I As an outsider now, Taylor offered all good guys I’ve had good fun with.
et. That’s the way I look at it. Records in October 2011), I mean, there are bought into it and that’s what really his blunt view on Zimbabwe’s Indian But yeah, the players that can take the
are there, but they are not everything. many. There are more downs than ups, changed my game,” Taylor said. head coach, Lalchand Rajput, who he team forward would be Craig Ervine,
Yeah, I could have played for longer, but those memories will outweigh the feels has outlived his usefulness. But he is pivotal. Then there is Raza and
but I felt that was the right time.” bad times and that’s what you play for. “I wish I had that from the start, my against popular opinion, the ex-Zim- there is Sean who is experienced. And
So, also, getting back-to-back hundreds numbers would be totally different. I babwe talisman had a seal of approval again, the younger players, I believe
Even though, Taylor’s 9 938 runs in Test cricket twice, back-to-back hun- would be a far better player. When you for Rajput’s lieutenants, batting coach they are hugely talented and they work
across all formats of the game make dreds in one-day international twice, are 18, you’re coming into the side, you Stuart Matsikenyeri and bowling coach extremely hard to improve their game.
him the third-highest run-scorer for those are the times I remember. A Test don’t realise what true professionalism Douglas Hondo.  As long as they are playing cricket and
Zimbabwe behind the Flowers, an ac- win against Pakistan (in September is, you take certain things for granted. continuously playing at a highest level,
complishment that places him among 2013 in Harare), getting 40 runs (Tay- I got a bit of a wake-up call later on in “My wish will be for Zimbabwe and getting tours, you’ll see the growth.
the greats of the game in his homeland. lor scored 51) batting for three to four my career. I knew what I had to do, cricket to keep growing,” Taylor said. “I I have all the faith in that. So I look
hours with the tail-end and winning a but I always thought that just doing certainly like us to qualify for the next forward to watch the team grow. I’m
Yet it has not quite sunk in yet for Test match by 24 runs, so that partner- enough is fine. If I had put those eyes World Cup. There are still some senior thankful to have been part of the set-
Taylor, so much that he believes it is not ship was actually the most crucial of my in, for the first seven years of my career, guys there in Craig (Ervine), Sean (Wil- up, and I will be watching with a keen
possible to compare him with some of career, just to get 60 to 80 runs with then things would have been totally liams) and Raza. But then again what’s eye. I hope I can be able to contribute
these yesteryear greats. different. That’s the only regret I have. again in some small way. I’ve had a lot
But again, thanks to Grant Flower, who of fun with Zimbabwe cricket, and I
“It’s hugely humbling to be put in will be around for a while, and I will be
that category, I certainly don’t see my- hands-on if they need me.”
self like that,” Taylor responded. 

“But if the public speak that way, in
their small way and even in their ca-
pacity, I’m very grateful and humbled
by that. Cricket is all about how long
you can stay in the game, how long you
can be consistent. I’ve tried to do that
the best way possible. But that’s not for

End of an era, let’s move to next chapter

REALITY has set it and, just like all Zimbabwe pose for a team picture before their World Cup qualifier against Ghana in Harare on Tuesday. Pic: Zifa Media despite the Qatar 2023 false-start and
seemingly good things come to an subsequent Loga exit, somehow, we
end, so has this passing generation of Uganda, the least-fancied side in their Afcon finals. It started on a promising despite the hard road to Cameroon, could find a way to a fairy-tale finish
Zimbabwe’s national football team.  group – difficult to accept as it was – note, under local coach Joey Antipas, in the historic World Cup bid.
it was getting clearer that we had set before the now sacked Croatian gaffer HawkZone
For me – a stubborn optimist when super high expectations on ourselves. Zdravko Logarušić made a meal of it Misplaced expectations, again!
it comes to this team – if there is one as the Warriors just scraped through Enock But time and time again, the World
positive to emerge from our cata- The 4-0 capitulation against the to the tournament in Cameroon early Muchinjo Cup has proved a bridge too far for
strophic 2023 World Cup quest, it is Democratic Republic of Congo in the next year. Zimbabwe and the lessons learnt from
that the Warriors will arrive in Camer- final pool match felt like the world this most recent campaign must be
oon for the next Africa Cup of Nations had fallen down on the Warriors. Loga packed his stuff and departed, used as a spur for the forthcoming Af-
edition in January with no illusion and But, in reality, Zimbabwe’s fate in that but not without leaving Zimbabwe at con finals, with the benefit of realistic
no spring in the step. tournament had already been sealed in sixes-and-sevens in their bid to qualify outlook and goals. 
the first two matches. for a first World Cup tournament in And what are those things that have
This will not be such a bad thing for the country’s history.  been learnt from the World Cup cam-
them after all.  Then, of course, there was the next paign?
mission to qualify for the succeeding Still, we believed, believed that Well, for me, first, it is the need to
The Warriors, who often have been promptly appoint a new substantive
placed beyond their capacity by us, coach, one with no divided attention,
have been thrown a harsh reality check to immediately begin preparations for
in these World Cup qualifiers, and the Nations Cup tournament early
they will land in Cameroon in a few next year.
months’ time with the kind of mod- And then, the realisation that the
esty that can only be considered good players we have relied on so much for
for the team as we attempt to move the past few years, do have their best
into the future. days behind them now.

This time around the entry will We will most likely never see
certainly not be like the last time in Knowledge Musona or Khama
Egypt when we thought we had finally Billiat weave their magic time-
arrived on the big stage, with a squad lessly again, rescuing the team as
bursting at the seams with versatile regularly as they used to be.
talent, daring us to dream we were
bridesmaids no more.  This is the opportunity to
build a new dream – around your
A 1-0 defeat to hosts Egypt in the Jordan Zemuras, Prince Dubes,
opening match was hailed as a gallant Tino Kadeweres – and the Afcon
fight by the Warriors, a minor setback tournament in Cameroon ear-
on the road to announce themselves as ly next year is the stage. But the
a new force in African football. groundwork must start now. 

Days later, when the Warriors
huffed and puffed to a 1-1 draw with

Sports Sometimes,
Not among all it takes is
a little bit
Three Lions, of respect

but happy to
be a WarriorThursday 1 October 2020

Friday 15 October 2021 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com

CULTURE

Community
radio
regulations
‘It was a quiet way of sayingNEWS WHAT’S INSIDE
$60 Covid
tariff for
visitors &
tourists under review
goodbye aCnhdathmaniskayorue’ acENOCKMUCHINJO
Story on Page 3 Story on Page 8

BRENDAN Taylor did not want a out to Khupe
long build-up to his retirement, fear-
ing it could disrupt the team, so he Unofficial president calls for emerge
thought the best way to bow out un-
noticed was by a sudden announce- Brendan Taylor celebrates one of his Test cricket milestones for Zimbabwe overseas.
ment, just 24 hours before his swan-
song match.  with my children, I’ve missed so much opposition, and Taylor admitted that est-paid player in the side at a con- the trip – which made up part of the
time with them growing up. So it’s not taking on the best in the world tract of around US$20 000 a month 2023 World Cup qualification process
A month after dropping the bomb- definitely a year or two out of cricket more often probably affected his moti- – dismissed any notion of bad blood – was a conscious decision by Taylor.
shell, Taylor sounds perfectly at peace until I get my feet off the ground with vation and fast-tracked his retirement. between him and Zimbabwe Cricket “My intention wasn’t to upset ZC
with his decision – and in his first the family business. But I will always “You know, I would like to believe I (ZC), the national governing body of in anyway, what I wanted to do was to
interview after quitting internation- be here. I’ve made that known to ZC could have played for another year or the sport in the country. focus on potentially winning the series
al cricket for good – he insists he has that if they need me, I’m certainly will- two, but this is a decision I took very “You know, it has just been a long against Ireland (the series was drawn
no plans to change his mind despite ing to come back. I’m already starting seriously,” Taylor said.  time in the game, time away from the 1-1 after the other game was a no-re-
clamours from a legion of his fans who to miss it, but I will be here, and I’m “My body – 17 years, 18 years in family, nothing to do with ZC,” Tay- sult) and not overshadowing our focus
felt Zimbabwe’s undisputed star of the certainly going to try and play a role ALathSleoOngagmINtiemSaesI.DaApEnrodfeifsspiForinonabalabpnllcyayewerMe–hiiantd’sistycloowrmcimpomeodsmaoteenutmetde$. i3“nZ.2CevBehriaylsliwotrainye.ddStoeopIa’mco-sitowrist“hNfmuotnyhdrinestgirteomdeontZw,”iiTmthay'fslionlraansatcieidas.ltgalainnd
past decade still had at least two to in making a difference to Zimbabwe c
three years left in him.
cricket.” some big tours lined up: Australia, thankful for that. It’s just personal rea- or anything like that, I didn’t even sit
Taylor announced his retirement Once upon a time, Zimbabwe’s India, I probably would have hung sons. I feel that Zimbabwe cricket is in down with ZC and try and discuss an-
from cricket towards the end of Zim- team was a dangerous underdog in on for those. But yeah, future involve- a good space in terms of some young other contract. It had nothing to do
babwe’s recent limited-overs tour of world cricket, posing a real threat to ment will be there with Zimbabwe players coming through, so I was com- with that.
Ireland, at the age of 35, a stage many the best international sides in the game cricket. I will be around for that, but fortable in my decision.” It was a decision I had taken for 12
players in the world today would be on quite a regular basis. The fall of the I will not be making a (playing) come- Retiring was a foregone conclusion months, and I had taken it seriously
looking to maximise in the twilight of team over the past 17 years has result- back for sure.” well before the Ireland tour, and the and thought about it at great lengths.
their careers. ed in declined action against top-class In walking away, Taylor – the high- sudden announcement at the end of To page 47

Speculation over Taylor’s next move
heightened following the Zimbabwe
batting kingpin’s exit, with some talk
linking him to a return to the United
Kingdom, where he spent time play-
ing for English county side Notting-
hamshire during his first international
cricket hiatus between 2015 and 2017.

But in an exclusive interview with
The NewsHawks this week, the for-
mer national team captain revealed he
had permanently settled back home
in Zimbabwe to venture into busi-
ness. Although he “already misses”
the game, Taylor is not turning back
again. 

“Certainly not a chance of reversing
my decision (to retire from cricket), I
mean, I’ve retired twice, I don’t think
it would be a good look coming back
and retiring for the third time,” Taylor
said.

“I’m not looking at getting back
into cricket straight away. I want to
make myself available to Zimbabwe
Cricket (ZC) if they need me for cer-
tain areas. I will always prioritise giv-
ing back to Zimbabwe cricket, it has
given so much to me (but) right now
I’m going to focus on my family and
my family business with my father
and my younger brother. I’m currently
based in Harare, spending more time

ALSO INSIDE End of an era, let’s move to the next chapter