Taibu to open training facility

Tatenda Taibu, the former Zimbabwe captain, is set to open an indoor cricket facility in Harare soon, according to a recent report in a Kolkata newspaper. Taibu's decision to start an academy was brought on because he feels that a lack of proper guidance in the country's domestic circuit has affected the game and a younger generation of players has lost interest in the sport.

He also feels a responsibility as an international player to assist in nurturing that up-and-coming talent. "The young cricketers in Zimbabwe don't get proper guidance," Taibu told the Telegraph. "It's because of lack of planning, most of the older cricketers don't retire and the young players hardly get any scope."

Asked why Zimbabwe has failed to raise their game in recent months, Taibu said: "We have the situation where we are trying to rebuild and rebuild and rebuild but it's not coming worthy."

Taibu, who just finished playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, hoped the training facility would not be far away from opening. "If everything goes accordingly, it will start operating soon."

His decision to start an academy may end speculation that he too would be lost to Zimbabwean cricket. A report in the Age in April said Taibu, 24, was considering playing club cricket for Northcote, in Melbourne's main grade competition, next season.