Zimbabwe's return to Test cricket is progressive step: Lorgat

The ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat expressed his happiness as Zimbabwe returned to the Test fold and hoped that they will put up a resilient performances in near future.

The ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat expressed his happiness as Zimbabwe returned to the Test fold and hoped that they will put up a resilient performances in near future.

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"To have Zimbabwe return to playing competitive Test cricket is a progressive step and I hope we will see good performances," Lorgat, who is currently in Harare to watch the first Test match, was quoted as saying in an ICC release.

Lorgat feels that Zimbabwe will show signs of recovery in the coming days.

"The future of Test cricket must be supported and I am encouraged by the positive signs of recovery we see in the game in Zimbabwe. It is incumbent on the entire cricket community to work together to promote Test cricket and that is why I wish to support this Test match," he stated.

"Much has been done to improve cricket in Zimbabwe, especially in the past two years. It has been fantastic to see some experienced and talented individuals becoming deeply involved, including former players such as Heath Streak, Grant Flower and Alistair Campbell along with Zimbabwe Cricket's chairman Peter Chingoka and chief executive Ozias Bvute," the Lorgat further added.

Lorgat stressed on the need to have a robust first-class structure.

"As we know, in order to maintain a competitive Test team, there needs to be a robust first-class structure that develops players for international competition. Zimbabwe's domestic system has been revamped and now needs to be nurtured and maintained.

"There is still a long way to go before Zimbabwe can compete consistently with the very best Test nations in the world, but this is a good start," he concluded.