Streak wants minimum wage structure

“In the past few months we have lost Neil Johnson to South Africa and Murray Goodwin to Western Australia. The basic reason was to ensure for themselves enough monetary returns,” the quality medium-fast swing bowler said.

The skipper said the lure of the `big buck’ would lead to a situation where the big cricket-playing countries would become all the more powerful and the smaller Nations could become non-descript.

“You got to have incentives for our guys to play Test cricket. Otherwise they would fall to those with deep pockets, those who spend money.

“The gap between smaller countries and bigger countries like Australia and Pakistan and South Africa is going to break away into still bigger gaps. Ten years later it might be a mismatch to play those countries. There should not be a situation where the gap in quality is yawning. Everyone has a responsibility towards it,” he said. On South Africa’s great, Barry Richards’ statement that Zimbabwe could fall prey to the bait of bookies and match-fixers given the pay structure they have, the skipper chose to refrain form comment.

Streak said his demands were not “outlandish”. “I am not saying Zimbabwe should be paid on the same scale as a cricketer in Australia or South Africa is paid. But there should be a minimum wage structure.” He conceded that inspite of poor incentives, there had been an influx of good talent in the team recently. “There is (Douglas) Marillier who did well against New Zealand back home. Then there is Trevos Friend, he is quite sharp. He is young and inexperienced but he has the confidence of youth. I think he will come through fast…he could be good prospect,” he said.

Streak gave credit to the cricket academy for this new-found talent. “Our cricket academy is doing very well. There are half a dozen guys in the present squad who have gone through this academy. They have got overseas players, they get games against the tourists. They have played against New Zealand, England and now against Australia. These teams are the best in the world and such exchanges are only going to improve our cricket. The Zimbabwe skipper said he had full faith in the “new wood” and was confident that “in one or two years down the line, they are going to be World class bowlers and batters.”

Streak said the team was beset with some problems as the newcomers were inexperienced and allrounder Guy Whittall was struggling with his knee. “We are probably lacking a batsman. More so, since Alistair Campbell would miss the opening match against Sri Lanka. Obviously, we are going to miss him. I hope the youngsters would avail the opportunity and produce their best.”Streak admitted that Whittal’s injury had put a lot of pressure on him.