The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
WHILE everything that he has envisioned in his cricket life unfolds before his eyes, new Zimbabwe women’s cricket national team coach, Gary Brent, still feels like it’s some dream he is yet to wake up from.
An elated Brent is still to come to terms with his new role, and the fact that Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) have thrust their faith in him to guide the Lady Chevrons.
The 42-year-old former Zimbabwe bowler has previously been involved with age-group cricket, and had a dance with Mutare-based franchise, Mountaineers.
But, his appointment as Lady Chevrons coach was a pleasant surprise for Brent.
“It is an incredible feeling. I am still on cloud nine and I still don’t quite understand and comprehend what happened but it is going to be great.
“I am truly humbled and honoured. It is not every day you get to coach your national side. I want to thank ZC for that, and also repay the faith they have shown in me. I will do that through hard work and hopefully have results coming our way.
“It is an exciting time for me and I am looking forward to starting my job. I am hopeful that it will be a lot of fun,” said Brent.
Having been forced into retirement at the age of 32 after breaking one of his fingers, Brent immediately set about getting his coaching badges.
“I broke my finger in 2008, and I realised that my international cricket career was coming to an end. I was worried about how I was going to support my family if it was more serious than just a broken finger.
“I then went to the UK and got myself Level 2 and 3 coaching certificates and came back to Zimbabwe to coach the age group sides and an opportunity with Mountaineers arose,” he said.
Brent has always looked forward to the day he would sit in the pavilion coaching one of the national team sides.
With the opportunity now having presented itself, he is not taking his appointment lightly.
“After I tendered my resignation, I told Wilfred Mukondiwa (former ZC managing director) that it was my dream that one day I return as coach to one of the national team sides. It is something that has just happened and I am truly humbled and honoured.”
With the Lady Chevrons ranked 11th in both the ODIs and T20 rankings, Brent has set his sights on improving the country’s rankings in the next three years.
“My first port of call will be to see where we are, that is, our strengths and weaknesses then see where we want to be.
“We are currently ranked 11th in both the ODIs and T20 World Rankings. We want to elevate ourselves if we can and my target in three years’ time will be to have a competitive side and hopefully be ranked among the best eight teams in the world.”
He also spoke about his eagerness to help the women’s game grow.
“The first thing everyone must understand is that women’s cricket is among the fastest growing sports in the world, and in terms of career choices, it is a very viable career option for a lot of girls.
“We will have a few conversations with a lot of people in terms of changing the mind-set of women’s cricket in schools, especially and hopefully before long they will be competing and this will be crucial for coming up with a competitive national team side.
“I am lucky enough that the technical staff are based all around the country, hence we can spread the game where we need it to go,” Brent said.
That women’s cricket is in the second year of its limited overs franchise system is something that has also left Brent quite pleased.
“It is fantastic that the Zimbabwe Cricket board have seen the value investing in women’s cricket. They are putting money where their mouth is, which is great to see. These tournaments (franchise-based tournaments) will grow from strength to strength.
“It is fantastic to see the structures getting in place now that we are a full status side. It is up to us to take the team forward and that is our responsibility as the technical team,” said Brent.
