South Africa to assist Zimbabwe's top players

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union's (ZCU) drive to improve playing standards for its top players has received support from the South African board.

The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) has invited Zimbabwe Under-23 to play in both the one-day and three-day formats of the South African Airways Challenge - the two top amateur inter-provincial competitions - in the forthcoming season.

Further help was offered with Zimbabwe's captain Tatenda Taibu and the allrounder Andy Blignaut joining up with franchise sides Cape Cobras and Highveld Lions respectively.

Gerald Majola, chief executive of the UCBSA, said: "We will introduce these two measures as part of the UCBSA's commitment to assisting the ZCU to raise playing standards in this time of reformation for Zimbabwe cricket. We both believe that playing in our top amateur and professional competitions will assist the ZCU in this regard."