Who needs Ntini and Attapatu?

Tinashe Kusema
THE recent appointments of Marvan Atapattu and Makhaya Ntini into the Chevrons’ technical set-up are misplaced and smack of desperation, analysts have said.

The critics are not charmed by the recent shocking appointments that were made by the Zimbabwe Cricket.
However, ZC insist that Atapattu and Ntini will add value to the struggling national team.
Ntini was roped into the Chevrons’ technical team as an assistant national team coach in charge of bowling.
The former South Africa fast bowler, who retired from international cricket in 2010 after 101 Test matches and 173 One-Day International (ODI), has been handed a two-year contract and is due to begin his duties next month.
He replaces Douglas Hondo, who will be reassigned to the Zimbabwe A side. Former Sri Lanka coach Atapattu was appointed as a consultant batting coach for Zimbabwe’s just ended tour to Bangladesh and both parties are understood to be keen on a long term relationship.
Dean Du Plessis, a respected cricket writer and analyst, pulls no punches as he questions the duo’s coaching credentials.
“I have my reservations about the logic of bringing in the two straight into the national team set-up.
“Makhaya Ntini’s coaching qualifications remain sketchy at best. All we know about his credentials is that he has obviously spent some time with the local franchises and schoolboy cricket in South Africa.
“It will certainly be a big jump for him to come here and coach at senior level.
“The job has its own demands, and the best case scenario will see both Makhaya and the team learn from each other.
“At this level and given how low the team has fallen, it is not the ideal scenario that we want.
“Attapatu is coming from a bad stint with Sri Lanka, which was better placed and better-funded than us. What new things, if any, will he now bring to an out-of-sorts and struggling Chevrons outfit?” he asked.
His sentiments were echoed by former Zimbabwe International Dirk Viljeon and part-time cricket analyst and commentator Jeffrey Murimbechi.
“It’s admirable what ZC has tried to do by bringing in Marvan Attapatu and Makhaya Ntini.
“What they bring to the table is a wealth of experience playing international cricket and an unapparelled work ethic and fitness regime.
“Over the past couple of years, our boys have been out of shape, overweight and lost sight of what is required of them when they put on the national team jersey.
“These two guys can fix that. I have no doubt that Ntini and Attapatu will whip these guys into shape and, unlike Dav Whatmore, toughen them up.
“That said, I do have a few reservations” said Viljeon.
“Our Under-19 national team played Afghanistan and lost and these are supposed to be the future Chevrons.
“What Zimbabwe Cricket should have done is bring these two guys and put them at Under-19, club, franchise and most importantly, Zimbabwe A.
“There, they will have ample time to work with the boys, get acquintated with Zimbabwe cricket and then pour their knowledge and expertise to the budding cricketers of the country.
“Once done, the guys will be more refined when they get to Zimbabwe A and senior level,” he said.
Murimbechi was more critical of the appointments.
“There have been many coaches that have come and gone in Zimbabwe, it is no longer about mentorship or getting a world famous former player to share their experiences with the boys.
“That is just a broadcast and public relations stunt. What Zimbabwe needs is a psychologist of sorts, someone dedicated to mental strengthening because the problems we face are not lack of talent, knowledge or skill.
“Our problems have more to do with a cancerous mindset that has risen from constant defeats and accepting it.
But ZC stands by its decision.
“As you are aware, last year we revamped the domestic structure out of the realisation of the importance of development and the role played by our provincial structures in that.
“However, we cannot ignore the national team, which is our flag bearer, and so we appointed Atapattu and Ntini,” they said in a written response to questions sent by this publication.