Unity Of Purpose In Zimbabwe Cricket Key to Returning to Test Play - Streak

Zimbabwe Cricket Ozias Bvute and bowling coach Heath Streak agree the domestic franchise program rolled out in five provinces has been a success and is now showing signs of growth

Zimbabwe Cricket bowling coach Heath Streak, a candidate for the position of head coach of the national team, says he believes the organization's plan for a return to international test can achieve its objective in two years.

Zimbabwe suspended test play in January 2006 and has in the past year been putting measures in place to strengthen its national team and administrative structure before the team attempts a return to international test play.

The International Cricket Council recommended that the country strengthen its domestic organization before Zimbabwe returns to test status.

Zimbabwe Cricket Ozias Bvute and Streak agree that the domestic franchise program rolled out in five provinces has been a success. Streak has been asked to oversee the development of bowling in the five provincial franchises.

Streak told VOA Studio 7 reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye that unity of purpose by Zimbabwe cricket management and coaches will eventually lead to the national side's return to international test status.

In soccer, meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s failure to qualify for the African Cup Of Nations in Angola has left soccer fans wondering who to support.

Some are rooting for popular teams like Ivory Coast, Angola, Cameroon, Ghana and Egypt, but others are backing Southern African neighbors.

Former Zambia star Kalusha Bwalya, president of the Football Association Of Zambia, says he hopes his national team can pull off an upset in the tough group “D” including Cameroon, Gabon and Tunisia.

Zambia faced Tunisia Wednesday evening.