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| August 20, 2005 | Saturday | Rajab 14, 1426 |
New coach Curran seeks Fletcher’s guidance
BULAWAYO, Aug 19: Zimbabwe’s new coach will turn to his England counterpart Duncan Fletcher for guidance in what may be the most difficult job in cricket. “My priority will be team work,” said Kevin Curran, who was named to succeed the sacked Phil Simmons in midweek.
“I’m a great believer in that, just like Duncan Fletcher in England, who has offered to help me,” he told reporters on Friday.
“We have known each other for many years.”
Curran, like Fletcher, is Zimbabwean. But that is one of the few similarities between them.
Fletcher has at his disposal some of the game’s most talented players, world class facilities and no shortage of financial back-up.
Accordingly, England are among the game’s most successful teams.
Curran has none of these advantages and his team are struggling.
Zimbabwe slumped to innings defeats in both tests against New Zealand this month and they have shown few signs of improvement since 15 of their most experienced players refused to play for the national team in a dispute with their board last April.
Some of the rebels have returned but Zimbabwe continue to perform poorly.
Curran was hopeful that he could make a difference.
“I have always wanted to be national coach and I will put my entire heart into it,” he said.
“I am an extremely competitive person and I think that should rub off.”
Curran was confident that Zimbabwe were turning a corner towards better results.
“We are already getting it right, but it will take time,” he said
“There is a large pool of talent here, and we shall find our true place one day because of the culture, the natural team spirit and the growing experience.
“I hope to play an integral part in all that.”
Curran, who played 11 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe, has filled various positions in the country’s coaching structure.
“The big advantage for me is my local knowledge, both of the culture and of all the players. I have coached them all in the past,” he said.
“The culture goes right through schools. Apart from perhaps South Africa, Zimbabwe is the only country in the world that sets such high priority for sport in schools.
“It is not just an addition to learning, it is an integral part of education here.
“That is why Zimbabwe, for such a small country, has produced so many top class sports people.”
Zimbabwe’s first match under Curran will be a one-day international against New Zealand in Bulawayo on Wednesday, the first game in a triangular competition also involving India.
Curran has been appointed until the end of the two-match series against India next month.—Reuters
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