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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