BULAWAYO
The Ground
Queen's Sports Club is Bulawayo's second ground, the first being the Athletic Club. Queens Club started hosting first-class matches since 1909 and became country's third Test venue in October 1994. As the Athletic Club has stopped hosting international matches, this remains the only ground after Harare Sports Club to host Test and major ODIs in Zimbabwe. So far, it has hosted eight Test matches 13 One Day International matches. The stadium has the capacity of about 9,000 spectators. An old pavilion, surrounded by trees and lush green grass makes it a lovely venue.
The city
Bulwayo is Zimbabwe's second largest city and an important industrial and commercial center. Among its manufactures are textiles, motor vehicles, tires, metal products, and cement. Founded by the British in 1893, it was the scene (1896) of a Ndebele (Matabele) revolt. Nearby are the 18th-century pre-colonial ruins of Khami. After Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980, Bulawayo was beset with violence between the Shona and Ndebele peoples until 1988 when an accord was reached. The city has the population of less a million.
HARARE
The ground
The Harare Sports Club is the home of cricket in Zimbabwe. It houses the Logan Cup on a permanent basis. Zimbabwe's first Test, in 1992, and first victory, in 1994, came at the Harare Sports Club ground.
The stadium has the presidential palace on one side and the prestigious Royal Harare Gold Club on another. The ground itself is one of great charm and beauty. With surrounding Jacaranda trees and a superb Dutch Gable pavilion, it seems a shame that the capacity of 10,000 for the ground is rarely challenged.
{{/usCountry}}The stadium has the presidential palace on one side and the prestigious Royal Harare Gold Club on another. The ground itself is one of great charm and beauty. With surrounding Jacaranda trees and a superb Dutch Gable pavilion, it seems a shame that the capacity of 10,000 for the ground is rarely challenged.
{{/usCountry}}Temporary stands can increase this capacity. The record crowd of 26,000 saw Rhodesia play the MCC in 1956.
The City
The aging high-rises, eccentric traffic and jostling street markets of Zimbabwe's capital is as 'happening' as it gets in these laid-back parts. However, there's a lot to see. The premier showcase for Shona sculpture, Harare also has a vibrant African music scene, good shopping and other abundant urban diversions.
The city is set on a high-lying plateau, above the sweltering river lowlands of the Zambezi in the north and the Limpopo river in the south. Golf and horse-racing are popular outdoor pursuits. Surrounded by game parks, nature reserves and recreational lakes, Harare's close environs provide ample alternatives to city-slicking, such as it is!