Heath Streak appointed Zimbabwe national cricket team coach
By Ricky Zililo
Newly appointed national cricket team coach Heath Streak says he will leave no stone unturned in his quest to turn around Zimbabwe’s fortunes.
Streak takes over the national team job that was left vacant by the sacking of Dav Whatmore in June.
South African great Makhaya Ntini, who had been interim head coach since June, reverts to his initial post of assistant coach in charge of bowling.
Another South African, former all-rounder Lance Klusener remains batting coach.
Speaking after being appointed coach at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday, Streak said taking Zimbabwe to the ICC 2019 World Cup topped his priority list.
He beat ex-national teammate Andy Blignaut and South Africans Peter Kirsten and Justin Summons for the top job.
He believes his experience as an ex-Zimbabwe’s bowling coach under Alan Butcher between 2009 and 2013, his stints with Bangladesh and in the Indian Premier League (IPL) will come in handy in improving Zimbabwe’s performances.
“The most important thing is qualifying for the 2019 World Cup. Everyone knows that the important landmark for Zimbabwe Cricket is playing at the World Cup. We also need to perform well in the longer version of the game (Test cricket) and make sure that we do well in T20 and one day games,” said Streak.
“Obviously things won’t happen overnight because everything is a process. I will leave no stone unturned on the field of play in my endeavour to get good results. We want results that the Zimbabwe cricket fans, whose support I’m looking forward to, will become proud of the team.”
He hopes his experience and that of Ntini and Klusener, as former Test cricketers will inspire his squad to become consistent performers.
“To have three international players in the national team changing room is good for Zimbabwe cricket. Makhaya will continue as the bowling coach, with Lance doing the batting part. We will collectively work together. Being different individuals, we will bring different aspects of coaching, which is a good spectrum to cover all the guys.
“The players will also play a big role towards shaping the future of our cricket and achieving our goals. They are the ones who take to the field and take responsibility for results and should be involved in planning,” Streak said.
He also intends to fuse upcoming talent with seniors to draw the best out of the pool of players during his two-year tenure.
“I have lots to work on and will focus on privately working on players’ limitations. We’ll try to get right combinations because we need guys that will consolidate and attack. Blending players is certainly one aspect that will happen. I’m happy with what I’ve seen of late and I’m looking forward to turning such talent into consistent performers,” he said.
Streak has less than three weeks to ready Zimbabwe for his first assignment, a two-Test home series against Sri Lanka followed by an ODI tri-series that will also involve the West Indies. The Chronicle
