Zimbabwe players did odd jobs to survive

Instability in Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) (formerly known as Zimbabwe Cricket Union) cost their cricketers dearly

Zimbabwe players did odd jobs to survive

Instability in Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) (formerly known as Zimbabwe Cricket Union) cost their cricketers dearly.

In the early 2000s, Zimbabwe was stripped of their Test status. That period was a nightmare, according to former Zimbabwe skipper Heath Streak. "Cricketers did odd jobs to survive," Streak, bowling coach of the Zimbabwe team, told MiD DAY on the eve of their face-off with defending champions Australia.

He later joined Warwickshire County Cricket Club as captain. He also had a stint with the rebel Indian Cricket League in 2007.

Left-arm spinner Ray Price, Zimbabwe's most experienced cricketer in the squad, used to fix refrigerators and air-conditioners. "I used to fix ACs since I am formally trained and then play cricket.

"John Traicos (who debuted for South Africa (1969-70) and later played for Zimbabwe in 1992) was a lawyer.

He used to go to the court and come around in the afternoon, drop his black suit and then bowl in the nets.

After the net session, he would leave for work again. That's how it was then," Price told MiD DAY.

However, things are looking up for Zimbabwe cricket since the last couple of years. The cricketers have a full-time contract with the ZC.

The International Cricket Council gave Zimbabwe back their Test status after the Southern Africans' stunning victory over Australia in the 2009 World T20 group match. Zimbabwe will play their first Test against Bangladesh in August.

"We can now concentrate fully on our cricket. The extra time we can spend in the gym or learn about the game," said Price.

Streak concluded: "The guys may not be paid as much as an Indian or any other nation cricketer, but they make a good living out of their earnings. They are no more dependent on odd jobs."

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