Taylor dedicates World T20 to coach’s late dad

Taylor dedicates World T20 to coach’s late dad

By Austin Karonga, Sports Writer

Saturday, 08 September 2012 13:23

HARARE - Zimbabwe cricket captain Brendan Taylor has dedicated the team’s forthcoming ICC World Twenty20 to the late father of coach Alan Butcher, who died last week in the United Kingdom.

Butcher flew back to England to mourn his father, who lost his battle against prostate cancer, thereby missing the team’s four-day bonding and training camp in Bulawayo that ended on Thursday.

Taylor said the team shares Butcher’s grief.

“Our thoughts are with him in these difficult moments, we know how painful losing a loved one is, let alone losing a father. We hope that he would find strength to get over the pain as he ventures into the World T20 journey with the Zimbabwe team,” Taylor told the Daily News yesterday.

“If we can go out there and get a good result it would mean a lot to the coach, the players, our families and the nation as a whole.”

Taylor said the bonding camp was a success despite the dark cloud that hung over the team.

“Everyone seems to be in good form, the bowlers bowled some good lines and the batsmen were striking the ball well,” Taylor added.

“We have got a good back up staff in the technical department, assistant coach Steve Mangongo handled the camp well with the assistance of Heath Streak and batting coach Grant Flower.”

Zimbabwe are pooled in Group C with hosts Sri Lanka and South Africa at the Twenty20 extravaganza, which begin on September 18.

ZIM SQUAD

Brendan Taylor (captain), Hamilton Masakadza, Vusi Sibanda, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Raymond Price, Kyle Jarvis, Chris Mpofu, Richard Muzhange, Brian Vitori, Prosper Utseya, Foster Mutizwa.