WEST Indies cricket legend Brian Lara could soon join Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to play and coach in the domestic league.
Lara, who was the guest of honour at a prestigious function hosted by CBZ Bank to honour outstanding players, coaches and administrators in Harare last Friday, is earmarked to play in the domestic T20 Competition this season.
The Trinidad and Tobago born batting prince confirmed as much when he arrived for the national awards ceremony held at Wild Geese Lodge.
“The season is long, discussions are taking place, let us wait and see. You might see me coming back here,” Lara said.
He also told reporters on his arrival in Harare last week that Zimbabwe was close to his heart and he was eagerly waiting for the country to play Tests again.
Asked to comment on the matter, Zimbabwe Cricket general manager Ozias Bvute would not deny the possibility of Lara coming back to play but like Lara, he was stingy with the details.
“We are talking but its early days to say whether he is coming back to play or coach here,” said Bvute
Sources have revealed that offers have already been made and the former West Indies captain and left handed batsman is willing to come and play the shortest version of the game and help out with some coaching for the national team batters.
“I understand the deal is close to being clinched. I mean the guy (Lara) is willing to come and help out around and there is an opportunity for him to come and play again. It’s always difficult to walk away from something you love so much, Lara has had so much success as a player. We know his record and now he is grateful for this opportunity that ZC are offering and likewise Zimbabwe is delighted he is willing to play here,” revealed the source.
It is not clear which franchise he will be joining when he comes, but all five franchises would definitely stampede for his signature.
Lara’s signature will definitely be the biggest scoop for ZC as they make yet more manoeuvers to turn around the fortunes of the game in the country.
Already in the country are two bowling legends, Jason Gillespie from Australia who is coaching Midlands Rhinos, and former South African quickie Allan Donald presiding over Mountaineers.
Ahead of the much anticipated Test return, Zimbabwe will benefit from Lara’s vast experience. He holds the record of the highest individual score in a single innings when he smashed an unbeaten 400 against England playing for the Caribbean outfit.
Lara played 131 Tests for his country scoring a total of 1 1953 runs at an average of 52,89 while also featuring in 299 One-Day-Internationals, amassing 1 0405 at an average of 40,49 in an illustrious career.
In his speech at the awards Lara singled out batsman Vusimuzi Sibanda, and spoke at length about his talent.
“I always thought Vusa Sibanda had a lot of talent, but I couldn’t help him. I couldn’t give him advice at that time obviously playing for an opposing team.”
And now with his impending arrival, Sibanda will be among the Zimbabwean batsmen lining up to receive tips from the legend.
Zimbabwe returns to the elite group of Test playing nations next year when they take on Bangladesh in a two match series to mark a return after a self-imposed exile.
Singling out Vusi Sibanda is really interesting. A couple of the marquee signings for the T20 (KP?) ain't a bad idea at all.
Would be absolutely awesome if he gets involved...
Boundary wrote:Singling out Vusi Sibanda is really interesting.
Vusi had done really well on the WI tour in 2006 when Lara was still playing, and he even played in the WI domestic leagues. So, he must have a fair idea of Sibanda's prowess.
Zim has to be awesome or something for all these former players, and great players to want to come and coach and play. I feel a bit sorry for Bangladesh though, i mean they were having a hard time finding a bowling coach for their national side a while ago. Looking at Klusner, and he wasn't evan in the same league as Gillespie and Donald was.
Lostart wrote:Zim has to be awesome or something for all these former players, and great players to want to come and coach and play. I feel a bit sorry for Bangladesh though, i mean they were having a hard time finding a bowling coach for their national side a while ago. Looking at Klusner, and he wasn't evan in the same league as Gillespie and Donald was.
Dont get carried away i dont think Z C or whoever it is making decisions about this coaches know what they are doing.They are too many batting and bowling coaches, this youngsters are going to get confused.The coaches are there for the money and add to their C V,s.
Credit where credit is due (to ZC), it is better that - whatever the coaches motives - there is an abundance of quality personnel than none at all as there was a few years ago.
And for what it is worth, I think that quite a few of the recent appointments have been made (and accepted) for reasons other than money. Alistair Campbell, Grant Flower, Heath Streak etc would be doing this for the betterment of cricket in Zimbabwe.
Its obviously for the money, everyone works for money. We will benefit cos he will impart his skill and vast expertise to our batsmen and thats good for us, we will obviously pay the for it but at the same time we will reap much from it. So come on BC and if he plays we the fans will benefit as well.!!! At the rate we are going we will have a Coaches X1 wich can give our Zim team a run for their money and good practice.
bayhaus wrote:Its obviously for the money, everyone works for money. We will benefit cos he will impart his skill and vast expertise to our batsmen and thats good for us, we will obviously pay the for it but at the same time we will reap much from it. So come on BC and if he plays we the fans will benefit as well.!!! At the rate we are going we will have a Coaches X1 wich can give our Zim team a run for their money and good practice.
Better for the money to be spent on coaches and players to be honest. I think, we will benefit a lot with quality input at Franchise level and national team level. Its good that ZC are able to attract such high calibre of coaches even before Zim is back in Test Cricket, sending good signals about the way forward for Zim cricket.
I think the guys wont be confused . Remember there was a 10 year gap when there was no direction and mentorship . We would say there was no Test cricket in the past 10 years . With the arrival of these coaches , batting bowling , fielding , fitness or whatever they might specialise in it is a boost for Zim Cricket which failed to atrract these specialist personel.
Besides they are also sending local coaches overseas to gain experience . I know of a local coach at Mid West Rhinos who is going to Australia on attchement .
If Zim have their eye on Tendulker I would back them . It would not be a surprise if they have already approached him at the rate they are going .
