ROTATION of the earth, despite the globe’s sheer size, is a silent movement.
ENOCK MUCHINJO
It is an incredibly soundless process. You only notice when night turns into day, and vice versa.
This is how Tatenda Taibu (pictured) likens his steady rise in coaching. The former Zimbabwe cricket captain reckons he has quietly made huge strides towards becoming a coach of repute after securing a major role in the forthcoming Abu Dhabi T10.
The 39-year-old ex-wicketkeeper was last week appointed assistant coach of Bangla Tigers, deputising former Australia batsman Stuart Law for the sixth edition of the Abu Dhabi T10, between 23 November and 4 December.
While England-based Taibu has held minor coaching roles around the world in his post-playing days, his deal with the Bangladesh-based franchise becomes his biggest appointment yet.
“I feel like I have a little more insight of the earth,” Taibu told The NewsHawks from his home in Liverpool.
“It (the earth) is big, yet moving without noise.”
The ICC-sanctioned Abu Dhabi T10 is now valued at US$621.2 million in terms of economic impact.
The league has continued to attract an impressive cast of some of the most recognised figures in world cricket, both players and coaches, so Taibu will be in illustrious company in the first real test of his coaching credentials.
Taibu’s mentor, the great Andy Flower, is head coach of Dehli Bulls, the Indian franchise captained by star West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. The legendary former Zimbabwe kingpin, a successful past England coach who is now in charge of IPL side Lucknow Super Giants, is one of the biggest names involved in the Abu Dhabi T10.
He is joined by his brother Grant Flower – batting coach of Team Abu Dhabi – making it three former Zimbabwe internationals coaching in the United Arab Emirates tournament.
Another addition to the tournament is Lance Klusener, the legendary South African all-rounder who left his role as Zimbabwe’s batting coach a fortnight before the T20 World Cup in Australia. Klusener was last month announced as new head coach of United States-based Morrisville SAMP Army.
Klusener will be assisted by Zimbabwean-born Trevor Penney, one of the most sought-after coaches in world cricket. Fielding expert Penney has worked with Sri Lanka, India and West Indies – in addition to gigs with different IPL teams as well as in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Taibu is relishing the challenge of coaching against the best in the world, and is backing himself to make an impact in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
“I know that I’m a better coach than I was a player, so you will definitely hear a bit more about me every now and again,” said Taibu.
While the newest and shortest version of the game has great entertainment value, Taibu also sees it as a big test of coaching skills.
“You look at football and you see that it’s 90 minutes, which is hour one and 30 minutes. So in just about two hours the game is done,” he remarked.
“So that’s the same thing with T10, it is good for viewership. That’s first and foremost. So that’s where you see your good coaches, the ones that quickly adapt and quickly form strategies on how to get a winning formula at this new format. So that’s where you will be able to see who the good coaches are.”
Taibu, meanwhile, is greatly looking forward to meeting Andy Flower, the man who taught him the art of wicket-keeping and batting, and groomed him as his heir apparent.
“You know that I regard Andy highly, and his family means a lot to me,” said Taibu. “I’m more looking forward to having a meal with him than anything else.”
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