Zimbabwe's troubled national cricket team has been dealt a severe blow by a subcommittee of the International Cricket Council which recommended the team be barred from international test cricket until its performance improves.
Zimbabwe Cricket in January 2006 asked to be suspended from test cricket because it was rebuilding its squad following severe internal disputes. It hoped to return to test cricket in November, but the ICC board seems likely to dash those hopes.
The ICC subcommittee recommended that Zimbabwe play four single-day matches with other member teams before trying to return to test play. Analysts say the panel's recommendations may boost pressure for internal reforms at Zimbabwe Cricket.
A decision from the ICC board in the matter is due later this month.
Commentator Hartwell Tshuma tells sports reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that Zimbabwe Cricket should give local cricketers more international experience to avoid further deterioration of the domestic sport
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