The importance of being earnest

Smiling, just as he was after overcoming the might of Australia at the World Twenty20 group phase, Robin Brown sits down to talk about a group of internationals who don't play Test cricket. Zimbabwe had just lost a four-day tour match in Karachi by an innings - albeit against a bunch of strong Pakistan hopefuls - a detour possibly to their road back to Test cricket.

Brown, appointed Zimbabwe's coach in September last year, chose, however, to concentrate on the positives. "Yes, we lost by a big margin but we managed to get a lot out of it," he told Cricinfo. "I think a result was the only thing we failed to achieve because our bowlers got a chance to spend time bowling to good opposition under new conditions. Our batsmen, even though only a couple went past fifty, spent time in the middle and adjusted to the low bounce and slowness that is the subcontinent pitch. It's a learning process, whether it's accompanied by a win or a loss."

He agreed that there were spurts of impatience from the batsmen - mostly due to a lack of match experience. Tatenda Taibu, for example, had just escaped with a rash stroke away from his body when, to the following delivery, he slashed again - to one close to being called a wide. Taibu departed, having faced 131 deliveries.

"Players need to own up, they need to take responsibility," Brown said. "They all know how vital they are to the team's cause. We have done away with the 'senior' tag so be it a debutant, or someone whose played over fifty matches, they are all equally responsible."

Zimbabwe cricket has been in turmoil for some time now. They voluntarily gave up Test status in 2006, having lost almost their entire first team during the player revolt of 2004. Brown admits that it greatly affected the side, but quickly adds that no player goes on forever in any case, so backups should have been in place. It gave, he reasons, younger players a chance to step up though the very basics, which, when he took over, had to be revisited.

"Rebuilding is a gradual process, especially when you have a young side with limited international experience. When we set about the process, we took players to nets to work on basics. Batsmen need to put their feet in the right places, play balls on merit and learn how to spend time at the crease.

"Bowlers were given a channel to bowl in. We worked at those basics for six-seven hours a day for six weeks. Players had a set routine. They knew what they would be doing two weeks ahead. There is a set plan now in place for every member and that has helped immensely."

Hard work is paying off, as is cooperation from Zimbabwe Cricket. Before, according to Brown, facilities were not provided simply because players never asked for it. Now there are professional trainers, sports psychologists and world-class training facilities. "The board is working with the players now. We have a lot of talent and the board has realised that and invested time, effort and money into it."

The return of some experience has also helped. Without delving into the reasons behind their exits, Brown welcomed back Taibu, Ray Price and Gary Brent, highlighting their value to the team from the tour match alone. Taibu scored 46 and 30, Price managed a four-for and Brent was involved in a defiant 96-run seventh-wicket partnership to delay the inevitable.

"Experience improves the side. While they perform, they can share the magic with younger players and pass on advice. Their return also fires a warning to players whose spot they have occupied, as they now need to work extra hard elsewhere and warrant selection in the playing eleven. It's healthy competition."

Vital to maintaining that competition will be the ability of the domestic structure to churn out talent. Brown says matters are rapidly improving, pointing out that provincial sides managed to beat the Kenyans easily last season. "It was beneficial for Zimbabwe to have invited Kenya to play but it was pleasing for our players to be winning against them. It just shows how much depth we have in our talent pool. We also have A and B teams, with international coaches coming in. It is definitely on the rise."

There are still kinks, for example the fielding, which saw a number of grassed chances in Karachi. Brown recalled that it was Zimbabwe's fielding that played a key role in the upset win over Australia, so giving away "60 crucial runs due to sloppiness" against the Patron's XI wasn't good.

"Sometimes they switch off on the field," Brown admits. "It is difficult to keep them motivated as we, before this hectic schedule recently, barely played any cricket. I would love to see them play more, ideally in international cricket but even if its club cricket. Playing under various conditions different to back home would help the players develop a great deal."

So what does Zimbabwe need to get back into the Test arena? "Nothing," Brown says without hesitation. "I think we're right up there with most of the teams on the Test circuit. Obviously, competing against the top two will be difficult, but against the likes of Bangladesh, West Indies and New Zealand I'm sure the team will perform well."

So a humble enquiry is put forward: on the performance of the tour match, would a Zimbabwe Test against Bangladesh last five days? "Obviously it won't. We will beat them in four."

© Faras Ghani 2008
Published on Cricinfo Jan 20, 2008