'We want to have the same spirit as Australia'
In the latest in our series of Wisden Wednesday interviews, Geoff Marsh spoke to Nagraj Gollapudi about the challenges, his aims, Heath Streak and how there is still hope for Zimbabwe cricket
Nagraj Gollapudi
26-Nov-2003
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Geoff Marsh: pulling the strings © Getty Images |
Geoff Marsh, the Zimbabwe coach, speaks Australian: he sees the team through the Australian prism. He feels that in everything Zimbabwe are doing at the moment, they have a lot to learn from the likes of his home country. Marsh is aware of the grim situation in Zimbabwe under the Robert Mugabe regime, but feels that his team have to focus on their job - to play cricket. In our latest Wisden Wednesday Interview, Marsh spoke about the challenge he faces, and how there is still hope for Zimbabwe cricket:
This West Indies series was certainly an emotional roller-coaster for you and your team ...
Yes, we have played some very good cricket, especially in the Test series, where I believe in terms of sessions Zimbabwe won 14 compared to seven by the West Indies. Although they won the series 1-0, I think things went against us. In the first Test, we ran out of time, the weather was bad, and then when we just needed one wicket to win, we couldn't deploy our quick bowlers as the light wasn't good. So it was disappointing to come away without a win, as we battled hard in that Test. West Indies did well to come back in the second Test, but we have bounced back to level the one-day series 1-1.
Yes, we have played some very good cricket, especially in the Test series, where I believe in terms of sessions Zimbabwe won 14 compared to seven by the West Indies. Although they won the series 1-0, I think things went against us. In the first Test, we ran out of time, the weather was bad, and then when we just needed one wicket to win, we couldn't deploy our quick bowlers as the light wasn't good. So it was disappointing to come away without a win, as we battled hard in that Test. West Indies did well to come back in the second Test, but we have bounced back to level the one-day series 1-1.
Is a tour Down Under a good learning experience for teams like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh?
Yes, a few good things came out of that Australian tour. You learn from watching a team like Australia, and a player in the right frame of mind can raise his game and come out much better from a tour there. After the tough two-Test series, Steve Waugh invited us to their dressing-room, where our boys sat for a number of hours just talking about cricket to some of the best players in the game today.
Yes, a few good things came out of that Australian tour. You learn from watching a team like Australia, and a player in the right frame of mind can raise his game and come out much better from a tour there. After the tough two-Test series, Steve Waugh invited us to their dressing-room, where our boys sat for a number of hours just talking about cricket to some of the best players in the game today.
You keep waving your arms and encouraging the boys from the dressing-room: how intense and realistic are your expectations?
We are a very young side with not much experience, so I try to help as much as I can. Yes, I do get involved and I enjoy it as I want to see the guys doing well. Zimbabwe have always given 100%, but I realise they have been shy at times - not going for the kill wholeheartedly. I feel that with the way this team is developing at the moment, they are capable of winning any game of cricket, though obviously we have a long way to go.
We are a very young side with not much experience, so I try to help as much as I can. Yes, I do get involved and I enjoy it as I want to see the guys doing well. Zimbabwe have always given 100%, but I realise they have been shy at times - not going for the kill wholeheartedly. I feel that with the way this team is developing at the moment, they are capable of winning any game of cricket, though obviously we have a long way to go.
When you joined in October 2001, you were hoping for a tougher Zimbabwe team by the 2003 World Cup. Do you think you achieved that?
The one thing I feel we have achieved is team spirit: you can't have a good team unless everyone feels for the team in the same way. What this team spirit does is that it drives everyone the same manner and helps achieve goals together. The other great thing I have noticed is the popularity of the game in the countryside - you could see good crowds coming back to enjoy the game during the Tests against West Indies, and now the ODI series. It's just fantastic, and the fact that people are watching and supporting us encourages the players.
The one thing I feel we have achieved is team spirit: you can't have a good team unless everyone feels for the team in the same way. What this team spirit does is that it drives everyone the same manner and helps achieve goals together. The other great thing I have noticed is the popularity of the game in the countryside - you could see good crowds coming back to enjoy the game during the Tests against West Indies, and now the ODI series. It's just fantastic, and the fact that people are watching and supporting us encourages the players.
You handled the Australians successfully before taking over Zimbabwe. How different was that experience?
Australian cricket has a wonderful structure. When you are coaching Australia, you are working with players who have come through a very good system. These players have very good support from their respective state sides. For example, when Darren Lehmann was left out of the Australian squad a few seasons ago, he went back to South Australia, where Greg Chappell was the coach. And he has done well on his return. That's the same with other squads too, with former Test players holding the coaching reins. Then, there is the cricket academy which keeps nurturing young talent, and moulding them into quality international performers. The second-string side - Australia A - is coached by Allan Border. So when players get into the Australian team, they know their cricket. As a coach, you just need to manage them, and up they go.
Australian cricket has a wonderful structure. When you are coaching Australia, you are working with players who have come through a very good system. These players have very good support from their respective state sides. For example, when Darren Lehmann was left out of the Australian squad a few seasons ago, he went back to South Australia, where Greg Chappell was the coach. And he has done well on his return. That's the same with other squads too, with former Test players holding the coaching reins. Then, there is the cricket academy which keeps nurturing young talent, and moulding them into quality international performers. The second-string side - Australia A - is coached by Allan Border. So when players get into the Australian team, they know their cricket. As a coach, you just need to manage them, and up they go.
Is it possible to replicate that kind of structure in Zimbabwe?
We have just started walking on that path with former Test players like myself managing the various sides. David Houghton - apart from his contract with Derbyshire - has come back to look after the A side, Bruce Reid is working with the fast bowlers and Phil Simmons is taking care of the Under-19 side, as well as the cricket academy. My focus is on the national team, and I know that if the players are not in that group, they are in the hands of able-minded people.
We have just started walking on that path with former Test players like myself managing the various sides. David Houghton - apart from his contract with Derbyshire - has come back to look after the A side, Bruce Reid is working with the fast bowlers and Phil Simmons is taking care of the Under-19 side, as well as the cricket academy. My focus is on the national team, and I know that if the players are not in that group, they are in the hands of able-minded people.
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Heath Streak: a role model for everyone © Getty Images |
Zimbabwe are a bit of a one-man show at the moment - Heath Streak keeps on labouring to give some hope, doesn't he?
He is a magnificent cricketer and a very good leader, well respected by the current team, and a role model for everyone in Zimbabwe cricket. He drives the ship, and they follow him closely. Undoubtedly, he is the main force behind the spirit of the side.
He is a magnificent cricketer and a very good leader, well respected by the current team, and a role model for everyone in Zimbabwe cricket. He drives the ship, and they follow him closely. Undoubtedly, he is the main force behind the spirit of the side.
And how is the relationship between the coach and the captain?
Me and Streaky get along pretty well - maybe that's because we're both farmers. We work closely together, and the one important thing with a young side is that you need to keep things simple and allow players to express themselves. You mustn't change too many things because you want the guy to enjoy the game and guide him in the best possible way. Once the player walks out into the middle, he is on his own.
Me and Streaky get along pretty well - maybe that's because we're both farmers. We work closely together, and the one important thing with a young side is that you need to keep things simple and allow players to express themselves. You mustn't change too many things because you want the guy to enjoy the game and guide him in the best possible way. Once the player walks out into the middle, he is on his own.
What are the strong points of your team?
We bat deep down - our No. 11, Raymond Price, opens for his club side. Then, we have a good allround side, we just need to mature. In a couple of years, we will have a very strong side.
We bat deep down - our No. 11, Raymond Price, opens for his club side. Then, we have a good allround side, we just need to mature. In a couple of years, we will have a very strong side.
But isn't the stock at domestic level very limited?
It is limited, but the game is growing very quickly, especially with the non-white population in Zimbabwe. With the successes of Tatenda Taibu, Douglas Hondo and Blessing Mahwire, people have started following them and these players are really interesting to watch. If you drive in Harare, you see kids playing the game, and that is a very healthy sign. At the end of the day, that's where it all starts.
It is limited, but the game is growing very quickly, especially with the non-white population in Zimbabwe. With the successes of Tatenda Taibu, Douglas Hondo and Blessing Mahwire, people have started following them and these players are really interesting to watch. If you drive in Harare, you see kids playing the game, and that is a very healthy sign. At the end of the day, that's where it all starts.
What are the things you need to make this side more competitive?
When I came here first, the team always wanted to bat second, but now they want to bat first, they want to be in front, stay in front, and win games. This is a positive change, and it has come about in the last six months. These are little tips they have picked up from watching the Australian team over the last five years, and that's the way you learn your game - watch your peers and take things into your game which you think can help you. It's time they started playing more games, as maturity comes with experience. They don't play a lot of first-class cricket, so they have to gain all their confidence from international games - so we need to have a lot of patience, too.
When I came here first, the team always wanted to bat second, but now they want to bat first, they want to be in front, stay in front, and win games. This is a positive change, and it has come about in the last six months. These are little tips they have picked up from watching the Australian team over the last five years, and that's the way you learn your game - watch your peers and take things into your game which you think can help you. It's time they started playing more games, as maturity comes with experience. They don't play a lot of first-class cricket, so they have to gain all their confidence from international games - so we need to have a lot of patience, too.
The situation in Zimbabwe is trying - life has become a struggle. Isn't that a negative factor?
Basically, my focus is to coach the cricket team. Once I go outside of that focus, then I am not doing my job properly. I try to just stick to my cricket. Obviously, Zimbabwe is going through tough times at the moment, but what cricket does do is bring a lot of smiles back on the faces. And that's a big thrill.
Basically, my focus is to coach the cricket team. Once I go outside of that focus, then I am not doing my job properly. I try to just stick to my cricket. Obviously, Zimbabwe is going through tough times at the moment, but what cricket does do is bring a lot of smiles back on the faces. And that's a big thrill.
But isn't there an air of uncertainty inside the dressing-room, especially after many of the matchwinners opted to leave the country?
The team is fully aware of the situation outside of the dressing-room, but they have made a pact that they just want to totally focus on playing cricket. They want to be a team, they want to have the same spirit that the Australian side has when they walk on the ground, they want to have the same smile that Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden get on their face under pressure, they want to be as determined as Steve Waugh is when you see his face on television.
The team is fully aware of the situation outside of the dressing-room, but they have made a pact that they just want to totally focus on playing cricket. They want to be a team, they want to have the same spirit that the Australian side has when they walk on the ground, they want to have the same smile that Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden get on their face under pressure, they want to be as determined as Steve Waugh is when you see his face on television.
Zimbabwe's track record since you took over is not good - one win, 12 losses and two draws in 15 Tests. In the ODIs, it's 14 victories and 29 losses. Do you think you are in worse shape than Dav Whatmore, Bangladesh's coach, is at the moment?
Bangladesh had a good series against Australia where they were positive, and then they went to Pakistan and played some good cricket. The mass appeal for cricket in Bangladesh is much bigger than here, and more people play over there. So yes, Bangladesh can be a cricketing power in the next decade. About the level of difficulty, I don't agree, as all coaches have to get the best out of their players - no matter how special they are. John Buchanan still has to work as hard as everybody else. All coaches have tough jobs. We are in it because we actually enjoy it.
Bangladesh had a good series against Australia where they were positive, and then they went to Pakistan and played some good cricket. The mass appeal for cricket in Bangladesh is much bigger than here, and more people play over there. So yes, Bangladesh can be a cricketing power in the next decade. About the level of difficulty, I don't agree, as all coaches have to get the best out of their players - no matter how special they are. John Buchanan still has to work as hard as everybody else. All coaches have tough jobs. We are in it because we actually enjoy it.