SL: Zimbabwe Likely To Be Invited For Two Tests In Sri Lanka (4 Jun 1996)

4 June 1996

Zimbabwe likely to be invited to play two Tests in Sri Lanka

By Sa`adi Thawfeeq

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, now going through an unproductive period of Test cricket for its players, have turned to Zimbabwe for some salvation.

It is exploring the possibility of inviting Zimbabwe here for a Test series after Australia turned down an offer to play two before the four-nation Singer World Series one-day tournament.

Zimbabwe is one of four countries participating in the Singer World Series, the other three being hosts Sri Lanka, Australia and India.

If Zimbabwe accepts Sri Lanka`s offer to make a tour here, it will be only after the Singer World Series, which would leave them with only a short space of time before they undertake a three-Test tour to Pakistan in October.

The second Singer World Series (the first was held in 1994), is scheduled to be hosted by Sri Lanka from August 24 to September 9.

Sri Lanka Cricket Board sources said the response from Zimbabwe "is not negative``. However, Zimbabwe are unable to come before the Singer World Series because most of their players are already contracted to play elsewhere.

The Flower brothers - Andy, the captain of Zimbabwe is turning out for Eastbourne in the Sussex league, and Grant for Wallasey in the Chesire league. Guy Whittall is representing Rawtenstall in the Lancashire and North West League.

The other factor is that, if they do come after the Singer World Series, it will probably be for a short series of two Tests because of the time factor. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board would not mind that for the simple reason that it offered Australia the same number.

Zimbabwe may not offer the same challenge as the Australians, but their record at Test level is something to be considered seriously.

Zimbabwe held the upper hand against Sri Lanka in the three Tests played there in October 1994 and soon afterwards secured their first Test victory by beating Pakistan.

Sri Lanka are also due to host Zimbabwe for a three-Test series in 1998.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe`s poor showing in the Wills World Cup has brought to an end the tenure of John Hampshire as Zimbabwe`s national cricket coach.

The former England cricketer`s four-year contract was not renewed recently by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) who have felt it is time for a change. The ZCU have yet to decide on Hampshire`s successor.

Sri Lanka have moved to second place in the latest ` The Cricketer`s International Ratings` following their success in the Wills World Cup which they won and, the three-nation Singer Cup in Singapore where they lost to Pakistan in the final.

This is the highest position Sri Lanka has attained at any level of international cricket since becoming a Test-playing nation in 1982.

Although losing to West Indies in the World Cup final, South Africa won 13 out of their previous 14 encounters - a better record of consistency than that of Sri Lanka to top the one-day ratings.

The One-day International Ratings: 1. South Africa (71 points), 2. SRI LANKA (58), 3. Australia (57), 4. Pakistan (56), 5. India (50), 6. West Indies (46), 7. New Zealand (45), 8. England (39), 9. Zimbabwe (24), 10. Kenya, 11. UAE, and 12. Holland.

Source :: Daily News (http.//www.lanka.net)