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Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) convener of selectors Tatenda Taibu has implored the board to sort out players’ contracts as part of turning around national team performances.
Taibu told Chronicle Sport that players can only perform at their best if they don’t have to worry about their welfare.
“There are a few things that we should consider if we are to compete competitively internationally.
“The first thing is to create an environment where players just play without any other issues to think about because when they play against New Zealand or Sri Lanka, those players do not have any other excess issues to think about,” said Taibu.
“So if that issue is sorted out, then we can look at another avenue on how to assist them to perform at their optimum because we hardly get players performing due to distractions.
“If we sort out player contracts, facilities and general organisation, then players will have a clear mindset and play ball.”
The former national team skipper was referring to the status quo where only 10 players in the national team setup have central contracts, while the rest are on high performance contracts.
Taibu has in the past clashed with the ZC board, accusing it of maladministration and gross disregard for players’ welfare.
This resulted in him quitting international cricket in 2005 to pursue club cricket that took him to Bangladesh, England and Namibia before he returned to the domestic scene where he played franchise cricket for Southern Rocks.
Taibu then took a sabbatical from the game and returned in June to take up his present role as convenor of selectors.
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Online Reporter