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Waller are set for an exciting adventure. Bill Flower came close to writing his own story, when he coached his brilliant sons Andy and Grant, but he did not get the chance to coach the national team.
Andy Waller got the job, and has been taking his men through their paces, in preparation for the arrival of the Indians, a tour that remains clouded by uncertainty.
Zimbabwe Cricket chairman, Peter Chingoka, was in India for the Indian Premier League final and there are high expectations that he made use of his visit.
His interactions with the game’s leaders there, to persuade them to honour their tour of this country.
The two nations have enjoyed strong cricket relations and India stood by Zimbabwe, when England, Australia and New Zealand turned their back on local cricket.
Zimbabwe Cricket badly need the Indians to tour given that such a box-office visit brings in television money, which is crucial to balancing their books.
The Zimbabwe team is already in camp and the first two practise sessions yesterday marked the beginning of the working relationship, between father and son, on national duty for Malcolm and Andy.
“I think there are a lot of aspects about our cricket ideologies that match but he is from old times so that makes him old school and I am more modernised,” said Malcolm, who has forced his way to become one of the key players in the national team.
“I see more modern coaching techniques. He doesn’t agree with a lot of that, he believes in the old school hard tough mentality.”
His father Andy, played two Tests and ODIs for Zimbabwe and was involved in 39 first class matches.
Malcolm has been impressive and justified his inclusion in the national team by playing big roles during the Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe.
Like father, like son, their statistics almost match with a one run difference between their ODI and Test batting averages.
Grant Flower said it is a tough assignment to play under your father as coach and it is likely to be tougher in a national team set-up.
But Malcolm thinks otherwise as he dug a little into the brief history of the cricket relationship with his father.
“It’s but fun working with him, I had him with the Rhinos and it was a bit tough to start with once I got used to it, I was actually quite alright,” said Malcolm.
“I cannot say there is any pressure working with him in the national team because we have only done two sessions together but I am not going to try and let that affect me.
“He hasn’t really coached me in about three years so we will see as this camp progresses in the next couple of weeks and see if it affects the relationship we already have on and off the field.
“We seem to have the same humour when we are at practise just like when we are at home.”
Malcolm says his mission is to do well for his country and, if in the process that is good enough to impress his father, then so be it.
Cricket runs deeply in the family roots and he was exposed to the game at a very early age having an experienced and tough father for coach.
“Firstly I play for my country, that’s the main reason I play in the national team, when I go out there I try to help win games for the country,” said Malcolm.
“Obviously, I try to do well for myself and now that he (Andy) is the coach I also try to win games and play for him but I will put the team before that.
“It was good growing up with him as a coach, he did a lot of work with me and he never really put too much pressure or give me a hard time if I didn’t get runs and wickets.
“Being away in boarding school, for three weeks at a time, was okay as well, he wasn’t in my ear all the time telling me things to do.”
Andrew Waller not only coached his son but also his nephew, Nathan Waller, who played for the national Under-19 team.
Online Reporter