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"Not enough emphasis put in high density areas": Flower |
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May
17, 2000 LONDON, MAY 16 (AP) - Zimbabwe cricket captain Andy Flower has criticized his country's cricket development program and lack of infrastructure, but says blacks are thriving in the sport.
Zimbabwe, the ninth and newest test nation, is fighting a battle to raise the profile of its international team through provincial teams, cricket academy and local schools.
Heading into its 42nd test since becoming a full member of the International Cricket Council in 1991, Zimbabwe lies ninth and last in a world pecking order dominated by Australia and South Africa.
"We as Zimbabweans view our position in world cricket fairly realistically," said Flower, in his his second term as captain.
"We are the ninth strongest test playing nation in the world. I believe our rating there is a true one."
Forced to take over the captaincy just three days before the home test against South Africa six months ago, Flower is optimistic about his country's cricket future.
"We are realistic about our position in world cricket but we believe we can compete and compete better all the time," he said.
"We don't want to stay at the bottom. We want to get up that ladder."
But the 41-test veteran, who alon with former captain Alistair Campbell has played in Zimbabwe's every test, was quick to point out flaws in the Zimbabwe Cricket Union's (ZCU) development program.
"I don't think our development program is good enough," he said. "I don't think there is enough emphasis put to improve infrastructures - grounds - in the townships or high density areas."
Cricket has become the most successful sport in the country, brushing aside soccer, rugby and tennis, but Flower believes it will be a big task to maintain the slender hold until "something urgent is done".
"We want to be constantly improving ... at domestic level, first-class system which in turn will improve our national side," he said. "We'll take all measures to improve our national side and the individuals involved with it. There are some positive things.
"We are in the second year of our academy. We have increased the provincial sides from three to five. In short term it will dissipate strength a little, but in the long term with the academy graduates feeding into those provinces and a semiprofessional base setup, in 5-10 years there will be a substantial growth in first-class cricket in Zimbabwe."
The major obstacle confronted by the ZCU is the lack of funds to sustain the growth in the accelerated cricket development program.
Money is needed to pay for bats and pads and balls and artificial pitches and only strong international showing will attract sponsors to fund them.
Zimbabwe's remarkable effort in last year's cricket World Cup couldn't have been better timed because it gave a sport waiting to go forward a shot in the arm.
Since then, the ZCU has offered scholarships to 57 black players after its South African-styled academy was opened in 1999 with just 18 boys.
According to Flower, black cricket is thriving despite the lack of emphasis.
"There is a good amicable cricket relationship between the whites, blacks, colored and the Asians," Flower said. "If we could have that permeating through our entire society it would be a much happier country." |
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