Zimpapers Logo

Brendan Taylor

Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
BRENDAN Taylor yesterday hailed coach Dav Whatmore and says Zimbabwe could have done better at the World Cup had the Australian gaffer been engaged earlier. Whatmore joined the team a month before the World Cup. “His strength is to get the players into the right mental capacity, he has good organisational skills and he has a lot of experience,” Taylor told a media conference in Harare yesterday.

“He brought a lot of positivity into the team and communicated well with the players.

“There is a possibility of having him in the long-term.” Taylor, who is quitting international cricket, said he will miss the game here and his national teammates. “I am grateful at what ZC have offered but at the end of the day family is more important than our jobs,” said Taylor.

“They (national team) are good players that can compete and win and get success, they have the ability but I think the problem is that they don’t have a strong mindset.

“It’s good to note that ZC is making great strides to work with the players and making sure they are catered for and there are no excuses now.

“I feel that cricket spectator-ship was going up in numbers with each passing game and I didn’t want to leave my teammates, it was one of the most difficult decisions of my life but I have to make sure that my family is covered.”

He said he made his decision to go and play in England before the World Cup.

“It was in Bangladesh that I felt Zimbabwe cricket was not going in the right direction as a team,” said Taylor.

“I had to make a decision that would benefit my family and children.”

The group stages would not be complete without the controversial loss to Ireland where The Herald criticised the manner the game was handled with the report hogging the limelight throughout the world.

Taylor said he felt it was right to apologise to Irish cricketer, John Mooney, whose character was questioned by this newspaper.

“I apologised to uphold the cricket values, cricket etiquette, I was the team captain then as Elton was injured and out and I apologised on behalf of everyone,” said Taylor.

“But I guess I should have done so in an individual capacity not as team captain but I have no regrets over that.” Taylor said the decision by ZC to remain with four franchises could help the game.

“I guess the decision by ZC to strike down one of the franchises (Southern Rocks) would see the game getting very competitive,” said Taylor.

“Coaches Douglas (Hondo) and Walter (Chawaguta) have done a good job and the players are excited about that.”