Tatenda Taibu

Tatenda Taibu (born 14 May 1983) is a former Zimbabwean cricketer, who played all formats of the game and a former Test and ODI captain. He played in the key dual role of wicketkeeper-batsman. On 6 May 2004, he became the youngest Test captain in history, when he captained his team against Sri Lanka.^[1][2]

On 10 July 2012 Taibu, aged only 29, decided to quit cricket and focus on his work in church.^[3][4]

Domestic career

On 20 February 2008, Taibu's contract was purchased by the Kolkata Knight Riders of the Indian Premier League. As well as that he has played four games for Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club of New Zealand

International career

Taibu made his first-class debut at the age of 16, and his debut for the national team in 2001, at 18. In 2003, he was appointed vice-captain to Heath Streak on the team's tour of England, and he was appointed national captain in April 2004, making him the youngest Test captain in history.^[5]

He took a two-year break for Zimbabwe in from 2005 to 2007 when he played a season as the captain of Namibia and another season for the Cape Cobras in South Africa.

He made his return to the Zimbabwean side in a series against India A in July 2007, registering a century. The following month Zimbabwe hosted South Africa for a three-game ODI series and in the final game Taibu scored a career best 107 not out. It was the first ODI century by a Zimbabwean against South Africa.

During 2010 Taibu's form continued and he scored 73 against South Africa as Zimbabwe were all out for 268. The South Africans chased down the total comfortably with Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers scoring centuries.^[6]

He scored 98 for his side in ICC World Cup 2011 as their team won by 175 runs against Canada in Nagpur. Taibu played a splendid innings in must-win situation of World Cup.^[7]

When Zimbabwe returned to Test cricket in 2011, Taibu was selected to play in their one-off Tests against Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand despite making critical remarks of the country's cricket administration.^[8] He scored half-centuries in each of the three Tests.^[9]

Taibu became the 5th Zimbabwean to score 3,000 runs during his innings of 53 (74) against Kenya at Eden Gardens, Kolkata during the 2011 World Cup on 20 March 2011. He along with Stuart Matsikenyeri set the record partnership in ODIs for the sixth wicket for Zimbabwe(188)^[10]

Retirement

On 10 July 2012, Taibu called time on his career aged 29.^[4] He said he would only do work for the church. Taibu told Zimeye: “I just feel that my true calling now lies in doing the Lord’s work, and although I am fortunate and proud to have played for my country, the time has come for me to put my entire focus on that part of my life.”

He scored 1546 runs in Tests with 57 catches and five stumpings, while making 3393 runs in ODIs with 114 catches and 33 stumpings.^[4] He finishes as Zimbabwe’s fourth highest run-scorer in ODIs with the second most number of dismissals as a wicketkeeper, behind Andy Flower.

Beyond cricket

Since his retirement, Taibu has been living in the UK. He joined Hightown St. Mary's CC in 2016 as a player-coach-development-officer in the second-division of the Liverpool & District Cricket Competition. While writing his autobiography he realised that he would have to return to Zimbabwe. In June 2016 he accepted a role as Zimbabwe Cricket's convener of selectors and development officer, with the encouragement of Peter Chingoka.

While some anticipated that, at 33, Taibu could make a comeback as a player, even as Test captain, he firmly closed the door on that possibility.^[11] Brendan Taylor and Kyle Jarvis left county deals in September 2017 to play again for Zimbabwe, fruit of Taibu's efforts to entice them back.^[12]

References

External links

• Tatenda Taibu at ESPNcricinfo
• HowSTAT! statistical profile on Tatenda Taibu
• Scorecard of one of Taibu's best games at Cricmania
• News of Taibu's resignation at Cricinfo
• Subsequent interview with Taibu at Cricinfo