CHIGUMBURA STEPS DOWN FROM CAPTAINCY TO FOCUS ON HIS OWN GAME

The Zimbabwean cricket team’s skipper, Elton Chigumbura, has resigned from team leadership in order to focus on his personal performance as a player.

He has taken this decision in the wake of his side’s lackluster World Cup campaign. He thinks that he can play better as a player than as a captain.

Talking to media about his decision, Chigumbura said, “I have thought long and hard about the job since my return from World Cup and I have consulted my family and friends about it.” He further elaborated, “While some still think I should have stayed on, others agreed with me that I needed to concentrate on my own game and let somebody else lead the team.”

Chigumbura took over the reins of his team in May last year. He captaincy experience remained sour as he could not extract any remarkable performance as a leader despite the fact that he had been playing well as a player.

During the just concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Team Zimbabwe failed badly. Not to speak of any upset, it could not even demonstrate any mentionable performance. Having lost some key games, they were kicked out in the first round of the tournament.

Following their World Cup demise, the Rhodesians received extensive criticism from the national media and the local cricket lovers. Not only the players but also the team management came under fire. The people demanded change in the team’s composition in order to improve its standard.

In the flood of censure, Chigumbura had been a major subject. He has decided to step down as skipper and work towards polishing his performance as a player in the best interests of the team and the nation.

The 25-year-old is an excellent all-rounder. He has inherent qualities to deliver well under all circumstances. Making his international debut in 2004, Chigumbura soon proved himself a brilliant all-rounder.

Chigumbura has played 6 Tests, 128 ODIs and 14 T20s. His averages in all formats are very impressive.

Now, the all-rounder is eager to relive his past glory. Shunning the responsibilities of leadership, he will have the time and opportunities to flourish as a reliable and consistent player.

Right now, there are two options with the Zimbabwean cricket board to choose a new leader from.

One is batsman Hamilton Masakadza and the other is Brendan Taylor, the former seems to be the more potential candidate in terms of replacing Chigumbura.

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ZIMBABWE'S ELTON CHIGUMBURA RESIGNS FROM CAPTAINCY

Zimbabwe captain, Elton Chigumbura, has resigned from his post in order to focus his own form as a batsman.

While talking to the media, the Rhodesian skipper said, “Chigumbura told local newspaper Newsday on Friday that "I have thought long and hard about the job since my return from the World Cup and I have consulted my family and friends about it.”

Chigumbura is of the view that captaincy is a job which requires concentration and responsibility. He said that he could not focus on his batting while leading the side, which is affecting his performances in the game.

The 25-year-old Rhodesian all-rounder became Zimbabwe’s skipper in May 2010, in place of Prosper Utseya. He said that he enjoyed leading the team but his performance is getting weaker with every game, due to the pressure of captaincy.

He expressed that he had to face massive criticism for the team’s weak performance in the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2011. The disappointing performance by the Kenyan team in the tournament caused him serious mental pressure and he decided to resign from the captaincy.

Chigumbura said that his decision has disappointed a few team members, as they think that he should continue with the leadership. However, he added that the team has agreed with his decision of resigning, as they know that it is very hard to concentrate on the game, when one is leading the entire team.

He said, “While some still think I should have stayed on, others agreed with me that I needed to concentrate on my own game and let somebody else lead the team.”

According to reports, Zimbabwe’s opener, Hamilton Masakadza or Brendan Taylor are considered to replace Chigumbura for the captaincy position.

Elton Chigumbura is one of the best all-rounder in the Zimbabwe cricket team. He started his International cricket career in 2004 against Sri Lanka at Bulawayo. In his 128 One Day Internationals, he has scored 2557 runs at an average of 23.89. The right-hander has so far struck 205 fours and 75 sixes. He has scored 13 half centuries, in 128 ODI matches.

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Discarded Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik plays local cricket in India

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, who is struggling to make a comeback in the national team, has been seen playing local cricket in the Indian city of New Delhi.
The flamboyant all-rounder is in India these days after marrying Indian tennis star Sania Mirza. Malik has also represented Delhi Daredevils in the inaugural edition of the lucrative Indian Premier League.
While playing a local Twenty20 game for the Turf Cricket Academy Pitampura, the Pakistani all-rounder played an instrumental role in his team’s comprehensive victory. Malik smashed an unbeaten innings of 123 runs from just 57 balls with the help of 6 fours and 10 sixes.
“I haven’t held the bat for almost 25 days now, have been busy with some other commitments so it felt good to score some runs. It’s a nice experience, especially with the kind of competitiveness you have in club cricket here,” Malik said.
Malik opted to participate in the game when he and his wife reached New Delhi for attending a function. The all-rounder borrowed the bat from one of his teammates and smacked a fantastic knock. At the end of the game, the host player gifted the same bat to Malik for pleasant memories of the contest.
“Match practice is the best and back home in Pakistan; it’s difficult to gather net bowlers for practice, even at the academy. Good bowlers are usually busy playing matches and it had been quite some time I spent in Delhi, and whenever friend call me,  I come and play,” the Sialkot-born cricketer added.
Malik has served Pakistan in 192 One Day Internationals in which he scored 5,188 runs at an average of 34.35. The all-rounder has an exceptional record against India, as he has an average of over 50 in 33 games against them.
When asked about Pak-India cricketing ties, the blistering batsman described that politics had stopped the dialogue progress between the two countries but through cricket, the two neighbours can get together once again.
Malik further spelled out that he was not upset or frustrated for not being selected for the national team. He vowed that he would give his one hundred percent whenever he is given a chance to represent the country.

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MICHAEL YARDY SET TO RETURN TO COMPETITIVE CRICKET

English spinner, Michael Yardy, who had to leave the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup 2011 due to depression, has recovered completely and is set to resume cricket while playing for his county, Sussex.

The all-rounder, who left before England’s quarter-final loss to Sri Lanka in the recently ended World Cup, has performed in a practice match yesterday. Yardy looked consistent during the training session of the English team.

Head Coach of the English Cricket Team, Robinson-c74734' title='Mark Robinson'>Mark Robinson has also confirmed that Yardy has recovered his battle over depression and has returned to the cricket field in complete momentum. He added that the 30-year-old English country club captain can now play first class cricket, as he has regained his lost form.

Robinson said that Yardy would return to competitive cricket in their next week's clash against Hampshire in the County Championship.

The Head Coach added, “He is going well. Every week he has practiced more. The first time he came in once and last week he came in three times and this week he was in every day, including Saturday, and so he is getting close.”

Robinson is of the view that Yardy has been working hard in the practice sessions and his inclusion in the English squad would be finalized after the training sessions end.

The Head Coach claimed that Yardy is one of the finest players in English cricket and his addition in the team would be fruitful for the team’s success in future matches.

He stated, “But it is just like anybody being injured. You have to give them time to heal properly and what you don't want to do is rush them back so that they have a recurrence of the injury. It's the same for Yards. So we have just got to keep talking to him and keep giving him time. He is increasing his workload.”

The English camp expressed their content on Yardy’s participation in the training sessions. They are hopeful that he would be given a chance to perform in the upcoming tournament, along with the rest of the team.

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SHAHID AFRIDI A TACTICALLY ASTUTE CAPTAIN OR AN INSPIRATIONAL LEADER

With Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies set to begin today, let us take a look at Shahid Afridi and his role as the captain of the national team. There are aspects of the talismanic captain that still raise questions as to what his strengths and weaknesses are, as a skipper.

After emerging on the world stage and making a name for himself as an aggressive batsman, Afridi’s game has undergone many transformations. Although he was originally selected in the side as leg-spin bowler, he has been followed by fans for his flamboyant batting.

Criticised for his poor shot selection on more than just a few occasions, the player would often find himself as a liability for the side, which resulted in Afridi being dropped for the 1999 World Cup final against Australia.

Afridi, however, transformed his game once again to become one of the most feared spin bowlers in modern day cricket. His 21-wicket haul in the ICC World Cup 2011 was the highest in the tournament, as the all-rounder led his side to the semi-final of the mega event.

Tactician or Leader

As a tactician, the jury on Shahid Afridi is still a mixed bag of critics. His pre-match planning before every game seems to reap the desired results. His ‘plan for the Australians’ in the group stage of the World Cup worked to near perfection, as Pakistan became the first team to beat the defending champions after 13 years.

While his pre-match strategy appears to be sound, his ability to adapt to the constantly changing direction of a cricket match, is still up for debate. Many questions were raised when Afridi opted not to take the batting power-play when Misbah-ul-Haq was at the crease, in the semi-final against India, in Mohali.

The tactic demonstrated a lack of flexibility from the captain in a pressure situation and could be one of his drawbacks as a leader.

Afridi’s nature has never been of a person who relies on tactics, as his batting has demonstrated throughout his career. The Pakistan Captain is known for his passion and enthusiasm, which he puts in while on the field.

The aggressive batsman’s strength has been his ability to unite the team and get them all working for the same cause. Afridi backed his spirit, with match winning performances to inspire his side. His three four-wicket hauls in the World Cup, along with a five-wicket one helped his team to make it to the final four of the tournament.

Afridi leading the side gives the team a sense of togetherness, which had not been seen in the squad for ages. The skipper is always seen talking to his players, keeping them calm in tight situations, which is crucial to keep the game under control.

Although he may not be the best when it comes to the technical aspect of the role of captaincy, the fact remains that Shahid Afridi is more of an inspirational figure the side can look to, in times of need.

The success of Pakistan in the World Cup is proof that his approach is not to be taken lightly and the West Indies need to be wary when they face his side in the upcoming series to begin today.

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