zimcricketnews.com

Former Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh has come out against Zimbabwe's planned return to Test cricket after the hammering they received at the hand of Australia Academy. In a CricInfo report, Marsh wonders how a team that couldn't beat an Academy side could possibly be ready for top-flight cricket:

"They've got to be competitive. We've just sent a cricket academy side there and absolutely belted them. You would like to see Zimbabwe back in Test cricket, no doubt about that, they've got some terrific young talent in the system but they've just lost too many senior players. The whole thing is sad ... I think next year is too early."

Fair comment, on the face of it, but there are a few caveats to be added from the point of view of a Zimbabwe supporter:

• Zim didn't play their full-strength team against the Academy
• While winning is always nice, games at that level are played more for experience and to bring new players through
• Australia have a frightening level of depth to their cricketing - I'd hazard a guess that the Academy side could probably give most Test nations a good run for their money

To my mind, it's too early to judge now if November 2007 is too early for Zim to make their Test return. They (hopefully) have a lot of practice matches to play between now and then, and their performances in those matches will allow a fair decision to be made closer to the time - certainly, the ICC have already indicated that they're not prepared to allow Zimbabwe to resume Test cricket until they can at least put up a competitive performance. Now isn't the time to make that choice - let's wait until this time next year, when the team will have a lot more experience, and then start getting critical.
CricInfo - Zimbabwe not ready for Test return: Marsh