Zimbabwe’s convener of cricket selectors, Max Ebrahim, on Monday dismissed suggestions that Zimbabwe have no place in Test cricket.
Speaking after Zimbabwe’s second-innings defeat by South Africa on Sunday, Ebrahim said there are many positives that can be taken from Zimbabwe’s performance, particularly from some of the younger players.
He added that there is no possibility of Zimbabwe losing its Test status.
”The ICC [International Cricket Council] has given the assurance that no country that has Test status will lose it,” Ebrahim said. ”Last year, because of the contractual dispute with 15 of our players, we asked for an eight-month break from Test cricket. No team would be able to cope adequately if they lost 15 players at once.
”But now we are delighted to have players like Heath Streak and Andy Blignaut back in the side, and we expect more of the rebel players to return. Travis Friend, Trevor Gripper and Stewart Carlisle are all expected to come back, which will mean that we will have a bigger pool of players to draw from.”
Ebrahim said one of the benefits of the dispute with senior players was that youngsters who would not have been considered for the national team had an opportunity to show what they could do.
”Some of them have really put their hands up and have shown us that there is plenty of talent available.
”Graeme Cremer, for instance, has been a real find. To bowl 26 overs and take three wickets for just over 100 runs against South Africa was really exceptional. And he’s just a baby — he’s only 18,” enthused Ebrahim. ”He’s got a great future ahead of him.
”Another find has been Elton Chigumbura, who has been bowling well, and showed yesterday [Sunday] what he could do with the bat, when he made 44.
”So we have some very promising young players, and with some older and wiser heads back in the team, I believe Zimbabwe can really go places,” he said.
Ebrahim said critics of Zimbabwe cricket should look at the record of some of the other Test countries.
”It took New Zealand 45 years before they had their first win,” he said. ”Look at what’s happening to New Zealand now.
”Australia beat them 5-0 in the one-day series, and then won the first Test in just four days. But nobody’s saying that New Zealand should lose their Test status.
”I think those people who say countries like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh shouldn’t play Test cricket are not really talking about cricket. If it’s just results that count, perhaps there should be only four countries with Test status,” said Ebrahim.
He said Zimbabwe have plans aimed at strengthening their cricket.
”Zimbabwe have not done too badly in one-day matches but we don’t have enough experience in the longer form of the game,” he explained. ”So we will make sure that the four first-class teams play more four-day cricket to give them that experience.
”We are also planning to get some more overseas coaches. We are looking for a bowling coach, and a coach for our under-19 team from abroad.” — Sapa