“To have Zimbabwe return to playing competitive Test cricket is a progressive step and I hope we will see good performances,” ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, told The Zimbabwean in Harare where he was watch the opening day of the Test between the home side and Bangladesh.
“The future of Test cricket must be supported and I am encouraged by the positive signs of recovery we see in the game in Zimbabwe. It is incumbent on the entire cricket community to work together to promote Test cricket,” said Lorgat, who was in Zimbabwe as a show of support for cricket and to assess recent progress.
Following its voluntary withdrawal in 2005, the ICC has been working with Zimbabwe Cricket, in particular through the Zimbabwe Task Team, to provide advice and support in order to make this return possible. Now there are encouraging signs of real recovery for the game in Zimbabwe and the ICC said it was keen to continue providing support wherever possible.
“It has been fantastic to see some experienced and talented individuals becoming deeply involved, including former players such as Heath Streak, Grant Flower and Alistair Campbell along with Zimbabwe Cricket’s chairman Peter Chingoka and chief executive Ozias Bvute.
As we know, in order to maintain a competitive Test team, there needs to be a robust first-class structure that develops players for international competition. Zimbabwe’s domestic system has been revamped and now needs to be nurtured and maintained,” added Lorgat.
Post published in: Cricket