ZIMBABWE finally crossed the finishing line in a Test match against a major Test playing side.
Since the decision was taken to voluntarily suspend the side from Test cricket, many thought Zimbabwe would never be able to compete against major Test playing teams.
Since their return to the Test arena, Zimbabwe played well at home, and ran Pakistan and New Zealand real close before inexperience cost them the Tests at the finishing line.
Overseas tours, however, have been very forgettable.
There were mixed views on the decision to suspend the team from playing Tests. It was thought more time was needed to get the young side ready for the tough world of Test cricket.
Zimbabwe went back to the drawing board, including introducing a franchise system, all aimed at making them competitive at the highest level. Was this the best decision to take? After the poor showing against Sri Lanka, it was thought Zimbabwe would not hold their own in five-day matches and the decision was seen as “leave before you are kicked out”.
That Saturday, as Tendai Chatara took the final wicket to earn a 24-run victory, Zimbabwe Cricket breathed a huge sigh of relief — it had been a long time coming — but how sweet it was. Pakistan skipper, Misbah Ul-Haq looked set to spoil the party and with so many near misses in the recent past, we thought here we go again. Not this time though, Ul-Haq remained unbeaten on 79, but he ran out of partners and Zimbabwe won.
There was a school of thought that Zimbabwe should have continued with Test cricket — after all experience is the best teacher.
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The rest of the cricketing world was playing at the highest level and getting better, how was Zimbabwe going to catch up by excluding themselves from the process?
It is like pulling your child out of school because he is failing instead of giving him extra lessons.
The decision was made and if the return to Test cricket is the barometer, then the decision was the right one. Winning is a habit and the boys have seen they can take on the very best in the world and win. On The Crease hopes this is the beginning of a new era for Zimbabwe Cricket, that the term “minnows” will never be used in reference to Zimbabwe again.
The other big positive is that the victory was achieved without some key performers.
There is healthy competition for places in the team. The likes of Sean Williams, Sakindar Raza and Shingirai Masakadza did not feature in the last Test. Where does all this leave Christopher Mpofu?
Reports out of the capital are that his contract has not been renewed.
Perhaps a story for another day. Well done to Brendan Taylor and the boys, you have made the nation proud.
– The local league is set to start this weekend, all things being equal. The annual delegates meeting that precedes every season was held at Queens Sports Ground this past Friday and the teams agreed on the playing conditions for the coming season.
Long-standing fixture secretary Gavin Shilton was retained for another season.
The four teams to do battle for the first league title this season are BAC, Roosters, Queens and current champions Emakhandeni. With the delay in the start of the franchise season, there should be some fireworks as the payers will use the local league to ensure they get into the Tuskers team.
The women have been accepted into the third league as they felt they did not have enough competition among themselves to improve their cricket. It will be interesting as they have vowed to win the league.
The side has in its ranks national team players Thandolwenkosi Mlilo, Sharne Mayers, Laureen Tshuma, Tasmeen Granger and Atida Sibanda. I can’t wait to see them in action against the men.
I will continue to follow their progress and the rest of the league cricket on this space. E-mail me your thoughts and suggestions on league cricket.
– England’s Joe Root was hit on the jaw again. This time it was not in the pub and not a fist from an Australian. He was hit by a bouncer from an Aussie seamer. I think Root’s jaw is happy the summer is over, it surely won’t survive another blow.
