Grant Tipped to Coach Zim

Sport
GRANT Flower is now firm favourite to land the post of Zimbabwe cricket team coach.

GRANT Flower is now firm favourite to land the post of Zimbabwe cricket team coach.

Former Zimbabwe international Flower, whose legendary older brother Andy coaches England, extended his playing contract with English county Essex last July but the prospects of leading a side he represented with distinction as a player could see the 39-year-old soon agreeing terms with Zimbabwe Cricket. Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, currently the team’s bowling coach, was until last week tipped to get the job after he was lined up by ZC’s Cricket Committee to take over at the expiry of Walter Chawaguta’s contract on December 31.But the emergence of Flower into the picture prompted the influential Alistair Campbell-chaired committee to advertise for the job in the hope that Flower, who is currently in the country, gets interested. “The Cricket Committee feels that Grant is the right man for the job. They have encouraged him to apply,” said a source close to negotiations. “Flower has a strong batting background while Streak was a world-class bowler. The committee is convinced it is the right combination to take Zimbabwe back to Test cricket.”In an interview with IndependentSport, Campbell said:“As the Cricket Committee we want to give everyone a chance to apply. We felt we had to do it properly. It’s a complete restructuring of the technical department.”Campbell refused to single out Flower as the committee’s number one choice, but said Flower and Streak “will both be involved”. The former national side captain, who is also the selectors’ chairman, said he also expected foreigners to be interested in the job. “For all we know Ray Jennings or Mickey Arthur may apply!” he said. “For some of these guys it’s not about the cash, it’s the satisfaction of seeing a side improve.”Flower, a top-order batsman and a handy left-arm spinner, played 67 Tests and 219 ODIs for Zimbabwe between 1992 and 2004. — Staff Writer.