Mumbai—Zimbabwe’s acting coach Makhaya Ntini had expressed his desire to hang himself on a tomato tree. This was after his team’s pathetic performance against India in the first two ODI matches.
The new chief selector Tatenda Taibu, however, could still show brave face.
“I have been through a lot in my life that this series does not even make me put a sad face. You will understand better when my autobiography comes out”, he said over telephone from London, where he has been following the matches over TV.
“I believe I can put a few bricks to help Zimbabwe out of this situation”, he said minutes after his team lost four wickets in four consecutive balls.
“We have started digging the foundation already. When the building is being constructed, the foundation is dug and the cement is being put. The people passing by say what an ugly scene is looking like. But the beauty of the building can be seen once the finishing touch is given”.
“The plan for rebuilding the team is safe and secured in my mind. I have concern for my cricket not only in my mind but in heart too”.
Zimbabwe team made five changes for the final ODI.
“It is simple. We are looking for a group of players that will raise their hands to get into the ship which will bring Zimbabwe team up and a chance has to be given to all players available. We want to get a stage where 80 % players pick themselves into the team”, he added.
Taibu is likely to return to Zimbabwe next month. It means he will miss watching the T20 games.
“I would have loved to be there but because of my prior commitments I can’t move out from here. India has always had a special place in my heart and would visit India when the opportunity arises”, he signed.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
It goes from bad to worse to farcical. The Indian journalist's English is not too sharp so perhaps we must take what he's written with a pinch of tomato. I'm really interested in the tomato tree suicide thing. It smacks of Jack and the Beanstalk. I've got this vision of Ntini climbing up the light tower that is covered in a climbing tomato, he finally makes it to the top in order to wave that white flag of surrender and then bungee jumps off the top with a tomato vine wrapped around his neck. The vine snaps, breaking his fall at the last second and both he and Klusener limp off through the Keg with the die hard supporters pelting them with yet more tomatoes.
