Zimbabwean cricket team

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History of Zimbabwean international cricket

Zimbabwe's test performances were consistently weak, leading to many suggestions that they were undeserving of that status. In the one-day arena, however, the team were competitive, if not particularly strong.

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In spite of his team's difficulties, wicket-keeper/batsman Andy Flower was at one point rated the best batsman in world cricket. During this era, Zimbabwe also produced such cricketers as Flower's brother Grant, allrounder (and later national captain) Heath Streak and professional farmer Eddo Brandes, who achieved considerable fame as a bowler.

Related Topics:
Andy Flower - Grant - Heath Streak - Eddo Brandes

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The 2003 cricket World Cup was held partly in Zimbabwe, and the English team refused to play in Harare over security concerns. In one match, Andy Flower and fast bowler Henry Olonga wore black armbands. At the subsequent press conference, they made the statement that they were mourning the death of freedom in Zimbabwe. Both were immediately dismissed from the team and applied for asylum overseas.

Related Topics:
2003 cricket World Cup - English - Harare - Henry Olonga

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In late 2003, Zimbabwe toured Australia in a two-match series. The series was more memorable for Australian opener Matthew Hayden's innings in the first test - in which he overcame a back strain to score a then-record 380 runs - than for the Zimbabwean performance. Again, however, the team was competitive in the subsequent triangular one-day series also featuring India, although they did not qualify for the finals.

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The increasing age of the Flower brothers was a growing concern to Zimbabwean cricket, as there were no young players capable of replacing them. Andy was eventually replaced as wicket keeper by Tatenda Taibu, who struggled early but was appointed vice-captain.

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In early 2004, however, Zimbabwean cricket was thrown into turmoil by Heath Streak's dismissal as captain, which prompted many other established players to resign from international cricket. A scheduled tour by Sri Lanka went ahead, however this was a lopsided affair with Zimbabwe represented by fringe players who had not reached international standards yet. Australia was also scheduled to tour, however the situation deteriorated further and Zimbabwe's suspension from Test cricket turned the scheduled two-test series into a one-day tour only.

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Most of the rebel players emigrated to South Africa, Australia or England to play domestic cricket there. Allrounder Sean Ervine, for example, signed to play with Western Australia and expressed a hope that he might qualify for Australian citizenship and eventually represent his adopted country.

Related Topics:
Sean Ervine - Western Australia

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The political situation in Zimbabwe, in which white pastoralists were evicted from their land by black "war veterans" also conspired against the Zimbabwean team. During overseas tours, the players were often said to be buying necessities which were unavailable - or prohibitively expensive - at home, as opposed to the souvenirs which other touring teams would purchase.

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In 2005 an agreement was signed which led to the return of many of the rebels to the Zimbabwe side. However, results failed to improve as in March Zimbabwe lost both their Tests on tour against South Africa by an innings. Worse was to follow in August, when they were crushed on home soil by New Zealand, the margin being an innings and 294 runs. The match was over in two days, and Zimbabwe became only the second side in Test history (after India in 1952) to be bowled out twice in the space of one day.

Related Topics:
South Africa - New Zealand - India

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