Zimbabwe deserve to regain Test status: Gavaskar
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 12:16 am
http://sify.com/sports/zimbabwe-deserve ... ggcfc.html
Zimbabwe’s magnificent win against India in the opening match of the tri-series will give them just the boost they need to show that they have made rapid strides in the last year or so and can be considered fit enough to resume their Test status.
Not many teams would voluntarily relinquish their Test status but Zimbabwe showed that they had the sense to realize that their team was having problems at the Test level and needed some time away from it to get better and then come back. If they had carried on, then the results would not have encouraged youngsters to take to cricket and the game would have died a slow death there.
Zimbabwe have had their problems and are looking to rectify them and it may well take some time but that is no reason why their cricket should suffer. Now that most of the early Zimbabwe cricketers are back in the official fold and connected with the game in various capacities, the sport is looking up and it is evident from recent results.
As always, India gets blamed for supporting Zimbabwe when it is clear in the ICC meetings that other countries make a noise before the meeting but then do nothing to back their words with action. In the ICC, a 6-4 majority should convey a strong message if that is what is needed, but then how come there is no voting on the matter? Why, then blame only India for supporting Zimbabwe when others do nothing?
India has learnt over the years that the old powers look only after themselves and will do precious little to help and develop cricket other than in their countries. That these powers are unable to ride roughshod over the others as they used to not too long ago is mainly because first Pakistan and then India have shown the courage to stand up and be counted. Others are following suit as they realize the game that the old powers play.
Make no mistake, even if Zimbabwe wins the tri-series, there will be a big hue and cry if there is a move to restore Test status to them. Zimbabwe is not the only country where human rights abuses take place nor is it the only cricket board which has had problems of probity with their administration. Yet there is never talk about banning the others.
Despite all the issues, the manner in which some of the Zimbabwe cricketers have kept the flag flying for the game is admirable indeed. The enthusiasm is unbelievable, as they know that these events are their only chance of showing how good they are and to get some sort of international recognition. Prosper Utseya did it again against the strong Indian batting line-up as he bowled his ten overs for less than 50 runs.
The seamers did well too, but it was the fielding which was the highlight and they kept their heads up even when India’s Rohit Sharma was delectably hitting them to all corners of the ground. The batting display also was good with most batsmen making a contribution though they failed to capitalise on starts and got out when they should have been getting a big score.
Sri Lanka know that they cannot take it easy against the hosts for they could suffer the same fate as the Indians. They too have rested most of their seniors and the youngsters have a great chance to make a noise and show how good they are. It is a tri-series made for impressing those who matter. For the Indians and the Lankans, it is the selectors they want to impress, while for Zimbabwe, they want the cricketing world to notice them.
Zimbabwe’s magnificent win against India in the opening match of the tri-series will give them just the boost they need to show that they have made rapid strides in the last year or so and can be considered fit enough to resume their Test status.
Not many teams would voluntarily relinquish their Test status but Zimbabwe showed that they had the sense to realize that their team was having problems at the Test level and needed some time away from it to get better and then come back. If they had carried on, then the results would not have encouraged youngsters to take to cricket and the game would have died a slow death there.
Zimbabwe have had their problems and are looking to rectify them and it may well take some time but that is no reason why their cricket should suffer. Now that most of the early Zimbabwe cricketers are back in the official fold and connected with the game in various capacities, the sport is looking up and it is evident from recent results.
As always, India gets blamed for supporting Zimbabwe when it is clear in the ICC meetings that other countries make a noise before the meeting but then do nothing to back their words with action. In the ICC, a 6-4 majority should convey a strong message if that is what is needed, but then how come there is no voting on the matter? Why, then blame only India for supporting Zimbabwe when others do nothing?
India has learnt over the years that the old powers look only after themselves and will do precious little to help and develop cricket other than in their countries. That these powers are unable to ride roughshod over the others as they used to not too long ago is mainly because first Pakistan and then India have shown the courage to stand up and be counted. Others are following suit as they realize the game that the old powers play.
Make no mistake, even if Zimbabwe wins the tri-series, there will be a big hue and cry if there is a move to restore Test status to them. Zimbabwe is not the only country where human rights abuses take place nor is it the only cricket board which has had problems of probity with their administration. Yet there is never talk about banning the others.
Despite all the issues, the manner in which some of the Zimbabwe cricketers have kept the flag flying for the game is admirable indeed. The enthusiasm is unbelievable, as they know that these events are their only chance of showing how good they are and to get some sort of international recognition. Prosper Utseya did it again against the strong Indian batting line-up as he bowled his ten overs for less than 50 runs.
The seamers did well too, but it was the fielding which was the highlight and they kept their heads up even when India’s Rohit Sharma was delectably hitting them to all corners of the ground. The batting display also was good with most batsmen making a contribution though they failed to capitalise on starts and got out when they should have been getting a big score.
Sri Lanka know that they cannot take it easy against the hosts for they could suffer the same fate as the Indians. They too have rested most of their seniors and the youngsters have a great chance to make a noise and show how good they are. It is a tri-series made for impressing those who matter. For the Indians and the Lankans, it is the selectors they want to impress, while for Zimbabwe, they want the cricketing world to notice them.
