Hogg confident Zimbabwe won't lose Test status

Vince Hogg, the chief executive of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, insisted that Zimbabwe's Test status will not be revoked at this month's ICC meeting in London, although he admitted that it might be suspended for a few months while its fledgling side found their feet in international cricket.

And he told the AFP news agency that if there was no suspension he expected England to honour their commitment to play two Tests on their scheduled visit in November.

Hogg was reacting to the news that Pakistan are believed to be considering scrapping the planned home Tests against Zimbabwe in October, although they might still go ahead with revised one-day matches. "We would be amenable to that" Hogg told AFP. "We haven't discussed it yet with the Pakistan Board, but I'm sure that would be a practicable course to take."

Hogg also gave a hint that there might be a possible concession towards the sacked rebel cricketers. "We'll have our board annual meeting in Harare towards the end of July and a possible change of directors might make a difference in the approach to the player crisis."