Winter of Great Contentment - Zimbabwe report from the Cricketer International (16 January 1999)

16 January 1999

Winter of Great Contentment - Zimbabwe report from the Cricketer International

Cricketer International

The current season will go down as the one in which Zimbabwe cricket finally managed to turn shadow into substance, to translate its long-evident potential into achievement.

A victory in the one-off Test against India at home was followed by their first series victory, away from home and against Pakistan, one of the most difficult teams to beat on their home turf. In their One-Day Internationals, they reached a final against a Test nation for the first time, in Sharjah.

Some suggested Zimbabwe were lucky to take the series as Pakistan were denied the chance to catch up by the weather. That is scarcely Zimbabwe's fault, and there is no denying Zimbabwe was the team that took advantage of the opportunities available. Pakistan did have the edge in the Lahore Test, but they still had to bat last.

Zimbabwe have a very competent all-round team in spite of a limited reservoir of talent. The pace attack of Heath Streak, Henry Olonga and Mpumelelo Mbangwa have proved their competence at international level and Brandes is still around, mainly in one-day cricket. Paul Strang, Adam Huckle and Andrew Whittall are capable spinners, allowing the attack to take advantage of most conditions.

Of the batsmen, the Test records of the Flowers and Murray Goodwin prove their quality at the top level, while Gavin Rennie and Craig Wishart lead a number of talented youngsters. And there is still the unfulfilled potential of Alistair Campbell, rated by Pakistani critics five years ago as one of the world's most exciting young batsmen.

What Zimbabwe need is further exposure. Their most successful season has come to a premature end due to an inability to find opposition between Christmas and the World Cup. Finance obviously comes into the equation, but Zimbabwe can scarcely draw great public interest unless they are given the exposure.

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union are hoping to persuade South Africa to play them before the World Cup, and belated attention at international level from their southern neighbour would be eminently desirable. Zimbabwe now have a proven product to sell, and England at last are prepared to buy. What about Australia, South Africa, West Indies? And what about genuine series of at least three Tests?

Negotiations have been completed for the establishment of a major cricket ground in the high-density suburbs of Harare. Highfield, to the south of the city centre, is home to thousands of black people who know nothing of cricket; now a ground is to be opened on their doorstep as a facility for cricket, baseball and softball. Leased from the Harare City Council, it aims to serve the local community in a way never before possible.

The development will be undertaken by the up-and-coming, predominantly black cricket club, Winstonians, for whom Andy Flower is playing this season. The ZCU also have their eye on the ground as a stepping stone, and doubtless major matches will be played there as soon as the facilities reach a high standard.

The Mashonaland club competition, the Vigne Cup, reached a thrilling climax on December 6. In the final round, the clubs at the top of the table, Old Hararians and Harare Sports Club, had been drawn against each other; the competition would go to the winner.

That proved to be Old Hararians in a tight match. Batting first, they scored 247, and then bowled out Sports Club for 220. Their leading player was Dirk Viljoen, who scored 48 and took three wickets.

The national league and Logan Cup were scheduled to start in January, when all the international players will be available. The England A tourists will help in the development of the country's younger players.

December is the month for schools cricketers to display their wares, and for this at least Zimbabwe has much to thank South Africa. Three age-group teams travelled south of the Limpopo to take part in the South African age-group weeks.

The Under-19s, captained by Zimb-abwe's youngest international, Mluleki Nkala, began their tour with two three-day matches. For most of the players it was a first experience of the longer game, and unsurprisingly they were defeated by Western Province in their first match. But they learned quickly and followed this up with a win against Boland. They then travelled to Johannesburg for the Coca-Cola Week, where they won two matches and lost three. The tour finished with a one-day defeat by the South African Colts.

Although the results look indifferent, the Zimbabweans do not have the strong inter-provincial competition enjoyed by South Africans, nor the financial resources, and are therefore at a serious disadvantage as far as experience goes. Generous sponsorship from Zimbabwe Express Airlines helped to make these tours possible.

The experience factor was also evident with the Under-14s and Under-16s who took part in tournaments at Potchefstroom and Stellenbosch respectively. The former, who struggled two years ago, were more competitive, while the present Under-14s improved with every match. Although Zimbabwe still has a long way to go to rebuild the powerful pre-independence school structure, it is encouraging to note that the cream is still rising to the top.