Taibu: 'I am ready'
In his first interview since being appointed as captain, Tatenda Taibu talks to Wisden Cricinfo
Nagraj Gollapudi
07-Apr-2004
Tatenda Taibu, not yet 20, is set to become the youngest Test captain of them all, following his appointment as Zimbabwe's captain in the wake of Heath Streak's controversial resignation. Taibu spoke to Wisden Cricinfo:
 |
|
Right from the beginning of your career things have happened quickly: from your debut back in 2001 to being appointed deputy to Heath Streak in 2003, and now replacing him. Does it surprise you?
Obviously I have thought about that, and I am just happy. My aim is to keep performing, and to see Zimbabwe win matches. I didn't particularly set myself any goals when I made my debut - probably the only goal I set was to cement my place in the side. Then when I was made the vice-captain, during our tour of England in 2003 when I was just 19, I was initially surprised. And I spoke to the selectors who wanted me to be understudy to Streak, so that someone should be able to fill in his shoes if required. And now I am ready. I am always ready for the tasks I am given and I want to make the best out of each opportunity that comes my way.
Obviously I have thought about that, and I am just happy. My aim is to keep performing, and to see Zimbabwe win matches. I didn't particularly set myself any goals when I made my debut - probably the only goal I set was to cement my place in the side. Then when I was made the vice-captain, during our tour of England in 2003 when I was just 19, I was initially surprised. And I spoke to the selectors who wanted me to be understudy to Streak, so that someone should be able to fill in his shoes if required. And now I am ready. I am always ready for the tasks I am given and I want to make the best out of each opportunity that comes my way.
In the aftermath of the Streak resignation, can you tell us about your present state of mind?
At the moment nothing is clear, we don't really know everything that's happening, so I am waiting. Once all the information comes out I will think about my next step. I am not planning any big ideas or anything like that.
At the moment nothing is clear, we don't really know everything that's happening, so I am waiting. Once all the information comes out I will think about my next step. I am not planning any big ideas or anything like that.
How grave will his loss to Zimbabwe cricket be?
It's a setback. It's a piquant situation: in the last four-odd years you will see that Zimbabwe has been only rebuilding, rebuilding and rebuilding. It is nonstop, this rebuilding, the outcome being we are struggling. That's why this present situation is a big disappointment for me personally.
It's a setback. It's a piquant situation: in the last four-odd years you will see that Zimbabwe has been only rebuilding, rebuilding and rebuilding. It is nonstop, this rebuilding, the outcome being we are struggling. That's why this present situation is a big disappointment for me personally.
This constant rebuilding is frustrating?
You want to do well and win games and celebrate those moments with your country. Just playing and losing is very frustrating. No player likes to lose. So we need to put a stop to this. If we keep on rebuilding we will never move ahead.
You want to do well and win games and celebrate those moments with your country. Just playing and losing is very frustrating. No player likes to lose. So we need to put a stop to this. If we keep on rebuilding we will never move ahead.
Critics claim that one of the chief reasons for the stagnation is too much board interference in the day-to-day activities of the team. How do you plan to tackle that?
To be frank, I need to wait to see what are the problems before I move to tackle them. I never sat at any of the meetings between the team officials and the board, so I am unaware of any of the issues which caused the friction.
To be frank, I need to wait to see what are the problems before I move to tackle them. I never sat at any of the meetings between the team officials and the board, so I am unaware of any of the issues which caused the friction.
Is there a way out for all parties that would help Zimbabwe cricket progress?
Its too early for me to think about any solutions, but one way or the other whatever the problem is someone will have to sort it out. And if I play my cards right, I hope I will play my part in solving the matter properly.
Its too early for me to think about any solutions, but one way or the other whatever the problem is someone will have to sort it out. And if I play my cards right, I hope I will play my part in solving the matter properly.
Do you think your word will carry any weight in meetings with the ZCU?I prefer to keep my mouth shut at the moment with the way the things are happening
Why not? I should be able to do it. When they chose me at the age of 19 to be the vice-captain of the country, they had confidence in me and thought I was old enough to handle any kind of situation. And now they have appointed me as the captain of the team so I am sure we can work out something.
Will the board agree to what you think? After all, Streak seems to have been shown the door when he talked about reforms ...
I really don't know what to say - I don't know what their [Streak and the board's] problems were, but I do hope that we can find a way out together.
I really don't know what to say - I don't know what their [Streak and the board's] problems were, but I do hope that we can find a way out together.
How did you find out that you'd been made captain?
I was playing a provincial match and one of the selectors - Maqsood Ebrahim - called up to inform me that Heath Streak had resigned and asked me "Do you accept the captaincy?" to which I readily responded.
I was playing a provincial match and one of the selectors - Maqsood Ebrahim - called up to inform me that Heath Streak had resigned and asked me "Do you accept the captaincy?" to which I readily responded.
Were you surprised when the ZCU announced that Streak was going to step down?
Yes, even though I was aware of the prevailing problems. But I didn't know the problems were that bad.
Yes, even though I was aware of the prevailing problems. But I didn't know the problems were that bad.
Did he [Streak] ever hint to team-mates that he would resign if things got out of hand?
Never. We haven't spoken to each other - after his stepping-down - and I prefer to keep my mouth shut at the moment with the way the things are happening.
Never. We haven't spoken to each other - after his stepping-down - and I prefer to keep my mouth shut at the moment with the way the things are happening.
Now about yourself: At 20 years of age, you will be the youngest-ever Test skipper. How prepared are you for leading the side?
Like I said before, I have got my ways of dealing with situations. I am thinking more about my country - I hope this disappointing situation ends soon, and Zimbabwe cricket will start doing well. That is the matter close to my heart.
Like I said before, I have got my ways of dealing with situations. I am thinking more about my country - I hope this disappointing situation ends soon, and Zimbabwe cricket will start doing well. That is the matter close to my heart.
What are your concerns at the moment?
There are few things I have already thought about which I need to check with the board, as some of those things are important for the improvement of the young kids that are, and will be, coming in the future. I would like to keep these ideas to myself and not make them public for the present.
There are few things I have already thought about which I need to check with the board, as some of those things are important for the improvement of the young kids that are, and will be, coming in the future. I would like to keep these ideas to myself and not make them public for the present.
You find yourself leading a country who, some fear, might find it difficult to field a fully-fledged team in the near future, with the discontent among the players reportedly spreading. As the skipper how will you keep order in the dressing-room?
The important thing is the team has remained united. As a captain one needs to completely know each individual in the team, how the player responds to various situations and what can bring the best out of him. So obviously all that has to be in the captain's mind if he has to successfully handle the players. For that you need to get well acquainted with each guy and study him carefully.
The important thing is the team has remained united. As a captain one needs to completely know each individual in the team, how the player responds to various situations and what can bring the best out of him. So obviously all that has to be in the captain's mind if he has to successfully handle the players. For that you need to get well acquainted with each guy and study him carefully.
|
|
|
The senior players are not really the problem. Every team has one or two who don't gel well to the team's mindset, and you need to know how to deal with players of that nature.
What about the concerns about racial discrimination that have been raised by some past players?
I don't think there's a problem with the colour issue in the dressing-room. In the last few years the team has been made up of two colours, and so it's not an issue really.
I don't think there's a problem with the colour issue in the dressing-room. In the last few years the team has been made up of two colours, and so it's not an issue really.
After the departure of Streak who will be the people that you'll discuss things with?
Grant Flower is the first guy I look up to if I need any help. Both of us play for the same province - Mashonaland - and he is a good guy; he has always raised his hand to help which is a good sign for building a united team.
Grant Flower is the first guy I look up to if I need any help. Both of us play for the same province - Mashonaland - and he is a good guy; he has always raised his hand to help which is a good sign for building a united team.
And what about your bowling, given that Streak was really your only strike bowler?
Douglas Hondo and Andy Blignaut will need to rise to the occasion. Then there are youngsters coming through. It will be our duty to groom these young ones properly before they hit the big time.
Douglas Hondo and Andy Blignaut will need to rise to the occasion. Then there are youngsters coming through. It will be our duty to groom these young ones properly before they hit the big time.
You said there are youngsters coming through - who are they?
I think the young talent is too nascent at this stage, and we will have to give them two to three years more before they can graduate to the senior level. Until that time we have to bank on Blignaut and Hondo who will need to fill Streaky's role with consistent support from the likes of Travis Friend, who has been bowling well at domestic level, and Blessing Mahwire, who has been on the sidelines for some time now.
I think the young talent is too nascent at this stage, and we will have to give them two to three years more before they can graduate to the senior level. Until that time we have to bank on Blignaut and Hondo who will need to fill Streaky's role with consistent support from the likes of Travis Friend, who has been bowling well at domestic level, and Blessing Mahwire, who has been on the sidelines for some time now.
How about the batting - Streak was a pivot in the middle order ...
The batting looks much brighter. Yes, Streaky was a big cog in the middle order, but there were a bunch of guys back on the bench who were competing to make their presence felt in those positions. So it's an opportunity they should accept with both hands.
The batting looks much brighter. Yes, Streaky was a big cog in the middle order, but there were a bunch of guys back on the bench who were competing to make their presence felt in those positions. So it's an opportunity they should accept with both hands.
Finally, Australia and Sri Lanka will be touring Zimbabwe soon. What are the goals you are going to set for your team, with the limited resources at hand?
We are caught on the back foot at the moment and I know the team will have some disturbing things on their minds. I would only tell them to forget about these things as, at the moment, we can't do anything to avoid them. We need to play the game and put up a good fight, that's all I ask from them.
We are caught on the back foot at the moment and I know the team will have some disturbing things on their minds. I would only tell them to forget about these things as, at the moment, we can't do anything to avoid them. We need to play the game and put up a good fight, that's all I ask from them.