Zimbabwe vs. New Zealand and India, Pre-Series Build Up thread

[Paoli]

India in Zimbabwe 2005-06

Zimbabwe has proposed two Tests besides a triangular one-day series for India on their scheduled visit in August and September. As per the suggested itinerary, India will arrive in Zimbabwe on August 25 and play a one-day tri-series, also involving New Zealand, before the two-Test series. The one-day tournament will be played in a double round-robin league format.

"We have sent the itinerary to SK Nair [secretary of the Indian board] and are waiting for the BCCI's response,'' Qhubekani Nkala, the general manager of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union told the Press Trust of India.

New Zealand are scheduled to play two Tests against ZImbabwe before the tri-series, which is slated to begin on August 26. India's first match against New Zealand is planned for August 28 and the final for September 9. India will then play a three-day warm-up match from September 11 followed by two Tests starting on September 17 and 25 respectively.

Proposed itinerary:


Aug 25: India arrives in Bulawayo
Aug 26: Zim vs NZ, 1st ODI, Bulawayo
Aug 28: Ind vs NZ, 2nd ODI, Bulawayo
Aug 31: Zim vs Ind, 3rd ODI, Harare
Sept 2: Zim vs NZ, 4th ODI, Harare
Sept 4: Ind vs NZ, 5th ODI, Harare
Sept 6: Zim vs Ind, 6th ODI, Harare
Sept 9: Final, Harare


Sept 11-13: Warm-up game, Mutera
Sept 17-21: Zim vs Ind, 1st Test, Bulawayo
Sept 25-29: Zim vs Ind, 2nd Test, Harare
Sept 30: Departure.

I reckon that the Zimbabwean administrators have at last hit the nail on the head with tour itinery. At home, I wouldn't be surprised if we can pull off a win or two in the ODI's.

The New Zealand itinery hasn't been put to press yet. This is for any pre discussion on the Zimbabwean summer which will see Zimbabwe host India and hopefully New Zealand.

[vvvrulz]

Ideally this should be one sides, but with the current disarray the Indians are in, I really cannot be sure.

Will be exciting to see the return of a few more rebels I hope.

[Doink]

Yup, it'll be a good contest! I wanna see how Marshall and Dhoni do against each others sides! It would also be interesting to watch Pathan, Balaji and Franklin!

[Mr Kiwi]

i'm guessing that the same thing will happen to NZ as what happened to Engalind last year . . . NZ Cricket will still have to send a team dispite domestic (and international) political pressure because the ICC are too toothless (for want of a better part of the male anatomy) to declare the commitment null and void

NZ cricket has already said that those who choose not to tour will not be punished. I'm guessing those who will choose to go will be those returning from injury (bond, oram), fringe players wanting some good showings against the easybeats (papps, mcmillian) and younger players who are just keen to play (marshall, mccullum, vettori)

Those who won't tour will be the guys with lucrative county deals (yes a NZ cricketer makes more playing county than for NZ) this group includes: fleming, styris, possibly astle (covering an aussie during the ashes - there's someone else doing this too but i forget who)

[vvvrulz]

You're bang on I think, all the more 'secure' players in the line-up may choose to stay home.

This whole situation is a shambles really, and its about time the ICC put their foot down.

[Paoli]

I agree. Flem, Cairns and a few others may stay at home.

[Mr Kiwi]

someone else i forgot was chris harris - apparently he's back on the park and may want some match practice

but the ODI tri-series will be interesting and a good test for all concerned . . .

[imaginarydiva]

I am really looking forward to this series.Its a dream contest.Im probably more passionate abt this series than the indo-Pak series.I would give anything to see a drawn series.I am particularly hoping for some fireworks from Andy Blignaut and Heath Streak.

[Doink]

The latest news concerning this series is that Tendulkar and Ganguly will, most likely, wont show up. Tendulkar has been ruled out for 4 months due to his elbow injury while Ganguly's six-match ban will be reinstated so he's out as well.

[imaginarydiva]

Does it make a difference when it comes to Saurav?But maybe this will lessen the gap between the 2 teams,and for the first time in my life,I am happy about it.