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Streak’s agenda: unearth young talent, bring back old hands
- Updated: October 12, 2016
Heath Streak hopes to help Zimbabwe qualify for the 2019 World Cup by unearthing and exposing the potential of young cricketers and luring back some of its overseas-based stars. Streak, who was appointed national coach on a two-year deal, has been mandated with ensuring Zimbabwe do not miss out on the ODI showpiece, an important source of income for the financially embattled board, but he admitted he needs a deeper player pool to get the job done.
“There has been a big lack of planning in the past in terms of who is going to replace players. We’ve got some really exciting youngsters at the moment playing against Pakistan A and who played in the recent series. I will be looking hard at those youngsters and seeing who can take us through (to the 2019 World Cup),” Streak told ESPNcricinfo.
Streak identified the likes of Brian Chari, who opened the batting in Zimbabwe’s recent Test series against New Zealand and then took over the wicket-keeping duties in an emergency, and PJ Moor, who scored 157 for Zimbabwe A against Pakistan A as two of the talents who could be part of Zimbabwe’s future but said there are more.
“Those are young guys who have been given some opportunities and are starting to knock on the door,” Streak said. “There are a whole group of young guys who have come through our Under-19 system who are being given opportunities now. They are probably a little on the young side but, given enough exposure, especially at A team level, they could be pushed up. I am very excited with the prospects we have.”
But Streak knows those players will benefit from having some of Zimbabwe’s more experienced cricketers, especially those who have spent time overseas, back in the set-up. …
