Zimbabwe Tests Await England (28 Dec 1995)

Zimbabwe Tests await England

ENGLAND will break new ground next year when they undertake their first tour of Zimbabwe. The African visit, which will be followed by a tour of New Zealand, will run from Nov 30-Jan 3 and include two Tests - the first between the countries - and three one-day internationals.

It means that Zimbabwe will have hosted all the Test-playing nations except Australia and the West Indies.

According to the country`s cricket union, who were granted Test status in 1992, negotiations to arrange tours by those two countries are underway.

England will get an impression of what to expect when their under-19 team arrive for a seven-week tour of Zimbabwe today.

"We are extremely grateful to the Test and County Cricket Board for agreeing to this tour by the full England team and for their continuous assistance to all levels of cricket in Zimbabwe," the ZCU said in a statement.

England`s last games against Zimbabwe were during their tour of Australia last winter. The pair played two one-day internationals in the World Series Cup tournament, winning one apiece.

England Tour Of Zimbabwe:

Nov 30: Districts (Harare South Country Club). Dec 1: President`s XI (Harare Sports Club). Dec 3-6: Mashonaland (Harare Sports Club). Dec 8: Matabeleland (Queen`s Club, Bulawayo). Dec 10-13: Matabeleland (Queen`s Club).

Dec 15: First one-day international (Queen`s Club). Dec 18-22: First Test (Queen`s Club). Dec 26-30: Second Test (Harare Sports Club). Jan 1: Second one-day international (Harare Sports Club). Jan 3: Third one-day international (Harare Sports Club).

Source :: Electronic Telegraph