Zimbabwe to return to Test cricket in '07

DURBAN: Zimbabwe will return to Test cricket in November 2007 when it will take on the West Indies in a home series, coach Kevin Curran has said.

"We will be playing the West Indies at home in November next year. We think that will give us time to develop our very young team, and we also believe that the West Indies would be at the right level of play for our return to Test cricket," Curran said on Monday on his arrival in South Africa for a three-match one-day series against the hosts.

Zimbabwe had announced its withdrawal from all Tests in 2006 until it was competitive and Curran said it was important for the team to get as much international exposure as possible.

"It's a very young team - the average age is about 21, so we need to play lots of competitive cricket. We are also planning a number of four-day matches against teams like South Africa 'A' and other 'A' sides. As these players gain international experience, they will improve and become more competitive.

If they can get 30 or 40 international caps under their belts, they will be much better prepared for the return to Test cricket. So we will grab any opportunity with both hands," the coach was quoted as saying by South African Press Association.

Losing about 20 senior players made a huge dent in Zimbabwe cricket, he said, adding "when you look at the kind of experience there is in the South African team, with players like Jacques Kallis, Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock, it's going to be a huge challenge for our guys to play against a team we consider one of the best in the world."