New Zealand-based former Zimbabwe cricket team leg-spinning all-rounder Paul Strang is widely regarded in local cricket circles as one of the best players to represent the country in international cricket.
Strang played 24 Tests and 95 one-dayers for Zimbabwe between 1994 and 2001 before his playing career was cut short by a chronic injury to his bowling arm.
After a largely successful career as a player, Strang has also been doing very well as coach at Auckland Aces, currently taking part in the Champions League Twenty20 (T20) qualifiers in India after winning the New Zealand HRV T20 Cup.
Strang’s team was, however, eliminated on Tuesday after they lost by four wickets to English side Somerset, the second defeat on the trot after they had earlier lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by two runs.
Interviewed by ESPNcricinfo while in Hyderabad in India this week, Strang said he would love to come back to Zimbabwe, but only in a coaching capacity.
“My parents and my brother (Bryan Strang) are still in Zimbabwe. I’d like to go back, but if I do it would have to be for work. I have got a young family and an English wife. Taking them from New Zealand to Zimbabwe will be quite a culture shock. Bryan loves Zimbabwe. I can’t see him leaving,” he said.
Paul, who is the older brother of former Zimbabwe seam bowler Bryan Strang, however, said he was enjoying his stay in New Zealand.
“I enjoy the set-up in New Zealand. The whole way of doing things is different to Africa. There is a lot more investment in sport. There is a lot more money available when you want to do things, not too much, but definitely more than in Africa. They are serious about their cricket and have invested a lot in terms of time and people,” said Strang.
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Strang said Zimbabwe’s future looked bright, especially now that they had some promising fast bowlers in the squad, which was not the same case not so long ago.
“Zimbabwe seem to be heading along the right track. They have had a dearth of fast bowlers. There haven’t been many since Heath Streak, Henry Olonga and Eddo Brandes.
“Kyle Jarvis and Brian Vitori look good, but the thing with young bowlers is that they have got to bowl for a year or two.
“The only way you will work hard at something is if you love doing it. A spinner has got to love bowling. You have to bowl a lot when you are growing up,” said Strang.
The Bulawayo-born former Falcon College student said he saw a lot of promise in the currently sidelined promising leg spinner Graeme Cremer.
“I coached Graeme Cremer for a session or two when he was 16. He was very talented, probably a bit of a wayward young fellow, as most 16 or 17-year-olds are. He wasn’t quite sure what to do with his life. I rate him. I saw a bit of him in the World Cup and was very impressed.”
Cremer has not played for Zimbabwe since the ICC World Cup on the sub-continent after having a knee surgery six weeks ago, but is expected to make his return during the New Zealand tour next month.
