Zimbabwe should lose Test status, says ex-skipper
Zimbabwe should be stripped of their Test status to save them from suffering a repeat of the humiliation they suffered at the hands of South Africa, ex-skipper Dave Houghton said on Friday.
In their first innings in the first Test at Cape Town on Friday, Zimbabwe were skittled out for a miserable 54, their lowest ever Test total.
South Africa then smashed 340/3 off just 50 overs to lead by 286, the biggest deficit ever conceded when a side has been dismissed on the opening day in Test history.
To add to the list of records being smashed at Newlands, Jacques Kallis hit the fastest ever Test half-century, made from just 24 deliveries.
“I think Zimbabwe should come out of it for a little while and play against Bangladesh, Kenya and the A teams,” Houghton, now coach of Derbyshire, told a television channel.
Zimbabwe were only re-admitted to Tests this year following a temporary suspension enforced by the International Cricket Council, to preserve the integrity of the sport.
When they returned, they became the first ever Test victims of Bangladesh.
“It’s time someone told them the truth — you can’t have this cricket on the international arena,” added Houghton.
"People sitting back and watching this have got to be saying that this is wrong.
“These guys are coming out of schoolboy sides straight into the international arena. It is really a ‘men against kids’ game and it is very loosely described as Test cricket.”
Friday’s mauling was Zimbabwe’s lowest ever Test score although they managed to avoid breaking the record for the worst ever innings — 26 made by New Zealand against England in 1954-1955.
Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu admitted it was the worst day he had suffered in his Test career but said he would tell his players not to give up.
http://www.htcricket.com/htcricket/14_1267229.htm
This is a sad day indeed for African cricket. Zimb once were getting a very good team in mid 90s, but lost their key players and passion that Flower brothers poured into their team.