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Nagpur: Zimbabwe Cricket is doing all it could to return to Test fold with the help of the International Cricket Council and former star players, its President Peter Chingoka said on Tuesday.
The troubled African country has not played Test cricket since its self imposed exile in 2006. Several countries had refused to travel there due to political reasons.
Chingoka said they have made changes in the structure of the domestic cricket to lift the standard of the game in the country and is hoping that "transfer of knowledge" will happen with the return of former players.
"We are working closely with the ICC and are implementing whatever they are advising us to do. We have merged some of our provinces and made our domestic cricket into a five-team franchise-based structure," Chingoka said.
Chingoka said things are changing for better after induction of former captain Alistair Campbell and ex-batsman David Houghton in the administration.
"Campbell is our new selection panel chief and Houghton has joined as the technical consultant. Walter Chawaguta is the national coach. I can't tell you the exact date when we will return to Test cricket fold, but things are improving."
He said that the return of the experienced players would help younger players learn a lot.
"Our younger lot had no one to turn to. If, for example, Sachin Tendulkar wanted to seek out someone he can turn to Sunil Gavaskar or Vishy (Gundappa Viswanath). The transfer of knowledge can happen now in Zimbabwe cricket," Chingoka said.
He asserted that they have not closed door on anyone, including ex-player Henry Olonga who had criticised the running of the sport in the country.
"We have not closed the door on anyone," he said, adding that since former captain Andy Flower was coaching England squad it was not possible to engage his services.
Chingoka said that South Africa and India were also helping in their own way.
"We are going to play a few ODIs against South Africa in November. They have agreed to help us in every facet of our cricket as they want to expedite our return (to Test fold).
"The BCCI too is trying to help us as much as possible. India is committed to play in a triangular series in Zimbabwe. It all depends when they are free to play," he said.
"Every country wants India to tour to maximize the (financial) returns. In revenue earning a tour by India tops the list followed by England, Australia and South Africa in the descending order," he added.
As far as his country's ODI performance is concerned, Chingoka said it was improving.
