adminFORMER Zimbabwe senior national cricket team selector Wayne James still has no idea why he was shown the exit door from his duties as a national selector as well as a member of Zimbabwe Cricket’s Cricket Committee.
James was informed in writing by ZC managing director Wilfred Mukondiwa on 22 August that his services as a national selector and as a member of the ZC Cricket Committee were no longer required.
The former national team wicketkeeper said he still had no clue why ZC came to such a decision as he felt he still had a lot to contribute to the game.
“I got a letter signed by the ZC MD thanking me for my services as a selector and a member of the Cricket Committee. No reasons were given for my removal from the selection panel and Cricket Committee, I am still in the dark on the reasons. It appears my services were no longer required, they obviously have better ideas,’’ said James.
The removal of James now leaves the job of selecting the national team being done by two men, convener of selectors Givemore Makoni and national team coach Stephen Mangongo. Interestingly the duo have never played cricket at the highest level. Prior to his removal from the selection panel, the 49-year old James had strongly opposed Makoni and Mangongo’s bid to axe both Test captain Brendan Taylor as well Hamilton Masakadza for the third One-Day International against South Africa at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on 21 August. His argument was that it did not make sense to drop Zimbabwe’s most experienced batsmen when playing against one of the best ODI playing nations.
Even though he was eventually outvoted by Makoni and Mangongo with Taylor being dropped, Masakadza was spared the axe.
James, part of the country’s unemployment ranks since April when his contract with ZC as a High Performance coach expired, said he would love to continue with his role as the head coach of Matabeleland Tuskers if ZC came out clear if they still have any plans for him. For now, he is looking for another job to be able to fend for his family.
The discarding of James is yet another example of the deplorable treatment given to former players by ZC. This comes after the cricket mother-body let go of bowling coach Heath Streak and batting mentor Grant Flower when their contracts came to an end.
The two former international stars are now employed by other international cricket boards. Streak is the bowling coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team while Flower, whose older brother Andy is engaged by the England and Wales Cricket Board as technical director of elite coaching, is now the batting coach of Pakistan.
ZC did not bother responding to written questions from this publication despite being given ample time to do so.
Online Reporter