Zimbabwean middle-order batsman and coach, Grant Flower, has said that Zimbabwe deserve to return to Test match cricket as has been planned for them next year. Flower, who had retired from Zimbabwean cricket to play county cricket in 2004 has now returned back to the country to act in his dual player/coach role. Flower admitted that he was not 100 per cent sure about whether the side was ready to play Test match cricket but pointed out that that was the same case in 1992-93 when the Test status was conferred onto them. ??
He said, “I’m not sure [if Zimbabwe are ready for Tests], is the honest answer. But we didn’t know if we’d be ready originally, when we were first given Test status. People wrote us off then, and our first class structure then wasn’t as good as it is now.?
Flower also said that it was the case of sink or swim and they needed a chance to try. He added, We didn’t have much depth, but we did alright with it [earlier]. We got a Test victory probably quicker than any other nation, from what I can re-call. Certainly New Zealand and Bangladesh.?? Flower also added that Zimbabwes on-field problems are because of their current pace bowling attack which, at best, can be described as inexperienced. However, he added that a good first class structure will go a long way in helping the side regain its pace bowling strength. ?
He said, “I think there might still be a few questions about our quick bowling, we don’t have too much depth there. In the batting area we’ve got a bit more depth, more potential, from what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard from other people. But our first-class structure is stronger now than it has been in the past, and that can only help.”
The International Cricket Council grants official Test-playing status to the top cricket nations in the world. Having been first granted the right in 1992, Zimbabwe lost it again in 2006 indefinitely. Zimbabwe is aiming for a 2011 return to Test status.??
Zimbabwe had recently played in a two T20I, three ODI series against South Africa and struggled to bowl the opposition out. The batsmen had done well but the bowlers failed to get going. ??Zimbabwe have played in the World Cup cricket since 1983 and had started their ODI journey with a win over Australia in 1983. BETTER.COM
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News