Letters

BANGLADESH TOUR

As a cricket fan who is really interested in seeing the value of Test cricket upheld (no problem with Zimbabwe there, and I really admire the way the ethnic Africans are fully integrated), I thought that this tour for Bangladesh would perhaps have been more useful if it included some first-class cricket which the Bangladeshis appear desperately short of. For example, three first-class matches with any of your first-class teams plus Kenya, and only one Test match for their first tour. The way that Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe were introduced in my lifetime has obviously worked very well, and was based on lots of first-class (competitive at that) cricket before their respective first Test matches. I think that Kenya's inclusion in your domestic first-class trophy (which I seem to remember reading somewhere was happening) is really excellent, but how about including Bangladesh as well next year and confining it (the Logan Cup?) to times when international schedules allow.

Tim Lee (UK)

Reply: I agree with some of your ideas, but finance in Zimbabwe's current economic state is even more of an issue than in other Test-playing countries, so the feeling presumably is to make the money from international matches where television rights bring in money. Kenya will not actually be competing in the Logan Cup, and with the rescheduling of the latter until February and March it may well be postponed owing to lack of time. Again, for countries like Kenya and Bangladesh to take part in first-class matches rather than internationals in Zimbabwe would be a major money-loser and so is not a viable proposition at present.

ZIMBABWE AT THE GABBA

I had the good fortune of being able to see the Zimbabwe team play in both of their one-day matches at the Gabba recently, against Australia A and the West Indies. While they were unlucky to come across Australia A when they did, with a host of players keen to redeem themselves after a poor showing against the West Indies the previous week, I was very pleased with their response the next day. They provided a much more impressive effort against the Windies, and were unlucky to fall so close at the last. We were all cheering, hoping Guy Whittall could knock over Cameron Cuffy, but alas, it was not to be, thanks to Ridley Jacob's impressive showing. Their fielding was enthusiastic and very encouraging for the series ahead, which is much more than can be said about the West Indies, especially given their poor showing on Sunday. It does get tiring watching your side constantly demolish a touring team! The game against the Windies was fabulous and I want to wish all the Zimbabweans the best of luck in the one day series, and am looking forward to seeing them compete with Australia.

Trent Spencer (Brisbane, Australia)

WELL DONE, ZIMBABWE!

Well done to all the Zimbabwe cricketers for their outstanding success whilst in New Zealand. You have done us all proud. Keep it up. Do not worry about your loss to the Windies. You did not disgrace yourselves. Keep up the hard work.

Hansen family (Ashburton, New Zealand)

YOUTH TOURS

Again you are to be congratulated on the continuing standard of both the website and the newsletter. It is always a pleasure when Friday comes around as I know I can catch up on all the local news. As I spent a lot of time scoring at that age group is it possible for an U19 report on the tour to South Africa to be made available as they seemed to have done quite well. I have read, with interest, the U14 and U15 reports and on the whole they are encouraging for the future of Zimbabwe cricket as a whole.

Andries van Tonder (UK)

Reply: Manager Win Justin-Smith has promised us a report but at present we are still waiting for it.