Zimbabwe’s Test Struggles Are Due To Cricket’s Greed

Zimbabwe have had a tough time in Test cricket recently (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)

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It was hard to ignore the snickering, the usual annoying mockery, after Zimbabwe crashed to a big second Test thrashing against New Zealand in Bulawayo.

The innings and 359-run defeat capped a mighty tough run for Zimbabwe, who have lost six straight one-sided Tests since a thrilling victory over Bangladesh in Sylhet in April.

They copped a barrage from new and traditional media, some suggesting the smaller cricket nation – who have become a cricket destination despite a lack of funding and playing opportunities – are not worthy of playing the arduous five-day format.

Their latest defeat came in the aftermath of a momentous Test series between powers India and England, arguably the best played in the last two decades.

There was a lot of back slapping over Test cricket, a riveting contest played between countries armed with billion-dollar broadcast deals plus a lion’s share of the International Cricket Council’s funding.

The standard of cricket among the top has perhaps never been better with series so highly anticipated every time they clash. The upcoming Ashes series will be the most hyped in Australia since the 2006-07 blockbuster.

But cricket’s greed and self-interests have sabotaged the Test format below them, with Zimbabwe being a prime example. According to Zimbabwe Cricket, it costs $500,000 to host a match – large sums for a nation with a miniscule domestic broadcast deal of $2.5 million per year compared to billion-dollar deals of England, India and Australia.

Yet despite these financial hardships, Zimbabwe have hosted seven Test matches since Christmas – the most of any nation. Zimbabwe, who are not in the nine-team World Test Championship, will play 11 Tests in total this year – the equal most alongside Australia – to underline their determination of playing Test cricket and ultimately excelling in it.

While fellow battlers Ireland and Afghanistan understandably preference the more financially viable shorter formats, Zimbabwe should be applauded for their efforts of trying to get on the Test map.

“To play so many Tests shows positive intention on our part to grow Test cricket,” Zimbabwe chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani told me. “It shows we’re investing the money because Test cricket is expensive.

“Some of the attacks and criticisms the team has copped have been very unfair.”

Zimbabwe’s volume of Test cricket can be largely attributed to ICC board director Mukuhlani’s efforts. The influential administrator has been part of a working group led by New Zealander Roger Twose looking into Test cricket, with a remit being to provide more playing opportunities for smaller countries like Zimbabwe.

The working group has done a lot of the grunt work for a larger committee led by Twose that will look into the future of international cricket, including whether Test cricket should be split into two divisions.

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This new working group face a serious of issues, notably whether promotion and relegation is part of a two-division proposal.

Mukuhlani is among bosses from smaller nations pushing for promotion and relegation, but England chief Richard Thompson has expressed reservations due to the possibility that the big three nations might not be able to play one another if in different divisions.

Though countries are able to schedule series outside the league structure, so Thompson’s point is rather moot. The other sticking point is over how funds would be distributed with the so-called Test Match Fund – where the big three would provide financial support to smaller nations – appearing to have stalled, it is learned.

Those on the working group, particularly from the power trio, will need to analyze these issues deeply and with a broader stroke. Smaller nations do want a future in Test cricket as West Indies recently proved by hosting a three-Test series against Australia that was a financial loss.

Otherwise if there isn’t proper investment – as there has not been for years – and an equitable share of wealth then Test cricket will mostly die off.

Apart from never-ending series between India, England and Australia, an oversaturation that will eventually lose its charm.