Former Zimbabwe National team captain, opening batsman, wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu has launched a cricket academy in the UK.

Taibu created this project as  part of his role as consultant and selector for Zimbabwe Cricket and will enable the  young boys coming from Zimbabwe to show their skills and interests in the game of cricket. Tatenda Taibu born on 14 May 1983, the right hand batsman,Barely five foot tall and light on his feet, Tatenda Taibu is a throwback to the traditional style of wicketkeeper, and his importance to Zimbabwean cricket was underlined when he was named as vice-captain for the tour of England in 2003, when only 19 years old.

Earmarked as the long-term successor to club colleague Andy Flower, Taibu was plucked from Churchill Boys High School to tour the West Indies in 1999-00, after impressing onlookers with his natural ability. Three months later he was in England, on stand-by at Trent Bridge after injury put Flower’s dual role in doubt.

 

He had yet to play domestic first-class cricket at this stage – his debut for Mashonaland had to be put on hold after he turned up at the wrong ground – but he has toured South Africa with the Zimbabwe U-19s, and was one of Zimbabwe’s few bright spots in the 2003 World Cup and their tour to England later that year. A promising batsman, albeit with a penchant for cross-batted strokes, he is steadily improving at Test and ODI level.

 

Taibu, who retired from professional cricket in 2012 and is now based in Liverpool, hopes the new venture will help to re-establish Zimbabwe on the international stage by giving young players the chance to develop both personally and professionally outside of their homeland.

The programme will consist of a series of coaching and mentoring sessions, with matches to be played against county academy or development squads. And with all games scheduled to be played midweek, selected players will also have the opportunity to turn out for local club sides at weekends.