ZC targets 2014 tri-series with Australia, South Africa
Wilfred Mukondiwa, managing director of Zimbawe Cricket, has said the board has proposed a tri-series with South Africa and Australia, and to host Ireland for four-day matches, in 2014
ESPNcricinfo staff
13-Sep-2013
Zimbabwe Cricket is exploring the possibility of a tri-series against South Africa and Australia in 2014 • AFP
Zimbabwe Cricket is reportedly exploring the possibility of a tri-series against South Africa and Australia in 2014. ZC managing director Wilfred Mukondiwa also hinted at a four-day matches against Ireland next year, in the IndependentSport. Sri Lanka's scheduled tour of Zimbabwe later this year, meanwhile, is very unlikely to go ahead, with the newspaper reporting that the two boards have agreed to postpone the tour on Zimbabwe Cricket's request.
"We have proposed a triangular series with South Africa and Australia next year after the World T20, which will be played in Bangladesh," Mukondiwa said. "We are exploring that option so that it's more competitive and lucrative. The World T20 and the visit by the two nations are the major events for us next year."
The Future Tours Programme for 2014 has Australia visiting Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI series in July, with South Africa following soon after for a full tour featuring the same number of one-day games, in addition to two Tests and a Twenty20 spread over July and August. ZC are hoping to replace the two ODIs series with a tri-series.
Mukondiwa added there could be a "possibility" of hosting Ireland for four-day matches. "It is one of the programmes that have been proposed for Full Members, to engage Associate members. So Ireland is one of them and, depending on the schedule, playing them is a possibility.
"We played them a couple of years ago and we would be happy to engage them again, but it all depends on the calendar as to where we can slot that in."
Zimbabwe had enjoyed relative success series during Ireland's visit in 2010, winning the one-day series 2-1 and drawing the only four-day game.
ZC is looking at "more lucrative" options as it has been beset by financial problems. Delays to players' salaries almost jeopardised the series against Pakistan, and Sri Lanka Cricket had confirmed the Zimbabwe board wrote to it, asking to postpone its team's tour - hosting Sri Lanka would further hit Zimbabwe's already depleted finances.
Last month, SLC had approached the boards of West Indies, New Zealand, Australia and England to fill the void in Sri Lanka's calendar should the Zimbabwe tour be postponed.