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An article in the Sunday Telegraph over the weekend got me thinking about how to improve Zimbabwe's playing standards, given the lack of any truly experienced players in the current setup for the youngsters to learn from. The Telegraph's Scyld Berry has his own ideas, although first I'm going to poke a hole in his opening argument:

How on earth can Zimbabwe be allowed to resume Test status in November when they cannot even beat Ireland?

I eagerly await your call for Pakistan to be stripped of their Test status, Scyld - after all, Zimbabwe at least managed to tie with Ireland. Pakistan didn't even manage that.

But enough of the petty point-scoring, as he does propose something useful:

[The ICC] should organise and fund three years of competitive cricket for these Zimbabwean cricketers. They need to gain the experience of winning; they need a batting and bowling role-model in their side to learn from, and that can only mean an overseas player unless Streak returns. Being plunged again into the deep end of Test cricket from November will do them vastly more harm than good.

He goes on to suggest a global under-23 competition as one possible solution. Personally, I'd like to see Zim fielding a side in South Africa's inter-provincial competition again - Namibia currently play in the 9-side Pool A, Zimbabwe U23 could easily become the 9th side in Pool B to get even more first-class match experience.

The problem, though, is that Zim are relying on other people to help them at a time when providing that help isn't really politically correct. There are probably other ways of helping Zimbabwe raise their standards more quickly than their current match programme will allow, but the inclination by other nations to lend a hand isn't really there at the moment. That means we're stuck with taking the long route - but I do believe Zimbabwe will return to being internationally competitive, given the chance.
Sunday Telegraph - Test return will harm Zimbabwe