ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) is exploring the possibility of a Test match against neighbours South Africa before the ICC World Twenty20 (T20) in Bangladesh following a request by Cricket South Africa, sister paper NewsDay Sport can reveal.
DANIEL NHAKANISO SPORTS REPORTER
ZC managing director Wilfred Mukondiwa said their South African counterparts had requested to move forward one of the two Test matches scheduled between the two teams later this year.
“We are still in talks with Cricket South Africa and our technical team. Consultations are still in progress. This is part of the series which was supposed to take place later in the year. South Africa are supposed to come here and the series will comprise ODIs, T20s and Tests and want to bring forward one of the Tests, which I suppose is for their own preparations,” Mukondiwa said.
South Africa, the world’s leading Test side, will host Australia for a three-match series starting on February 12 and were hoping to play Zimbabwe before the start of that series.
“As I said, we are still in consultations mainly with our technical team to find out if it’s the best way forward given that the World T20 is around the corner. However, nothing has been finalised yet. Once a final position has been made would we will issue a statement,” Mukondiwa said.
According to the ICC Future Tours Programme for 2014, South Africa would be expected in Zimbabwe for a full tour featuring the same number of one-day games, in addition to two Tests and a T20 spread over July and August.
With Australia also visiting Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI series in July, ZC was initially exploring the possibility of a tri-series against South Africa and Australia.
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However, Zimbabwe’s participation in the proposed Test match against world best Test side South Africa will hinge on the local cricket governing body reaching an agreement with the players.
ZC has been engaged in meeting with players’ representatives in an effort to resolve the impasse between cricketers and the board. A source said that ZC was facing a dilemma on whether to accept South Africa’s proposal or not.
“They are basically in a catch 22 situation. Firstly, accepting to have the match to go ahead against the number one Test side in the world would be suicidal as Zimbabwean players haven’t been active for a while due to the ongoing strike. Chances of injuries to the bowlers would be very high as they haven’t played competitive cricket. On the other side Zimbabwe needs to be playing regularly for them to improve but the crux of the matter is the players are saying they won’t play unless they are paid first.”
Zimbabwe have not had any international cricket since the series against Pakistan in September. A planned trip by Sri Lanka was cancelled because of lack of funds while the Afghanistan tour also failed to materialise due to the ongoing strike by the players.
