I realised something today.
Very rarely do you hear about a zimbabwean cricketer get a fitting farewell to their career. looking back every career has ended like this
a) rift between the board and the player, usually over pay (williams,blignaut etc)
b) dropped from the team then just fades away with no clue as to whats happening (rogers, craig evans etc)
c)racial reasons (the 15 rebels)
d) lose interest and just pursue some other random job (watambwa,taibu, friend, alot of depth players)
Then if you look at a few of our heroes, many have ended up in county, and some, like Andy flower and olonga, have been chased out of the country.
Can anyone think of the last team a zimbabwean player has gone out in a nice way? like announced it beforehand then played one or 2 games to get farewelled, lap of honour etc..
The only one i can think of is guy whittal in the '03 world cup. but i think at the time he was just getting in before the selectors chopped him and he retired way too young.
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maybe gary brent after being back n forth with rebellions etc
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Yeah, Brent was the only one who came to mind. Retired on his own terms while he was still more-or-less a fixture in the side, stated intention was to get into coaching, and that's exactly what he's doing...
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Nice and cool observation! Sad though!
Does grant flowers player-coach stint count? Came back into the ZC fold as batting coach, decided to make a come back and selected himself and put himself at number 4 (I think) struggled and then retired from playing and became the full time batting coach?
Does grant flowers player-coach stint count? Came back into the ZC fold as batting coach, decided to make a come back and selected himself and put himself at number 4 (I think) struggled and then retired from playing and became the full time batting coach?
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Acutally, Murray Goodwin probably also fits. I know he quit Zim before his best days were over, but that was for understandable reasons and not because of any tiff with the board.
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What about Neil Johnson, he left on his own terms didn't he?
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
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I think what Zimdoggy is referring to is a Steve-Waugh-esque farewell, or at least a toned down version of that. Yes, Goodwin and Johnson left on their own terms, but not with a proper farewell.
In recent times, Brent is definitely one guy who got a few good accolades from every quarter as he left. Guy Whittall had announced his decision during the 2003 World Cup, but a deserved fitting farewell was overshadowed by the Flower - Olonga protest. When David Houghton went out, he was still very much at his best and went out on a high. Can't think of anyone else though.
In recent times, Brent is definitely one guy who got a few good accolades from every quarter as he left. Guy Whittall had announced his decision during the 2003 World Cup, but a deserved fitting farewell was overshadowed by the Flower - Olonga protest. When David Houghton went out, he was still very much at his best and went out on a high. Can't think of anyone else though.
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Ray Price will be the next one.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
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yes im referring to the Steve Waugh-esque farewell.
and flowerG, Murray and Neil HARDLY qualify and are in fact prime examples of my point.
flower- exiled into rebellion over race and pay. making a brief comeback 7 years later is hardly a satisfying national career highlight.
johnson- came briefly, disappeared where the grass is greener
murray- ditto.
players leaving the coop once they get too good is the biggest challenge we face. we are lucky to have Taylor at this time.
all prime examples of why zimbabwean cricket is NOT a stable and satisfying career choice if no one thinks to stick by it, and those that do get shafted in some way.
im talking about a good 10-15 year relatively unbroken career with a fitting lap of honour farewell etc.
and flowerG, Murray and Neil HARDLY qualify and are in fact prime examples of my point.
flower- exiled into rebellion over race and pay. making a brief comeback 7 years later is hardly a satisfying national career highlight.
johnson- came briefly, disappeared where the grass is greener
murray- ditto.
players leaving the coop once they get too good is the biggest challenge we face. we are lucky to have Taylor at this time.
all prime examples of why zimbabwean cricket is NOT a stable and satisfying career choice if no one thinks to stick by it, and those that do get shafted in some way.
im talking about a good 10-15 year relatively unbroken career with a fitting lap of honour farewell etc.
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