India A to tour Zimbabwe

Weakened by internal politics and the departure of their top players, Zimbabwe are to host an India A team expected to provide strong opposition. Indian board officials confirmed that the tour in August would consist of three four-day matches which would take place after the tri-series against Kenya and Pakistan A in Nairobi.

In June, Zimbabwe had agreed to stop playing Test cricket until 2005, so it has enough time to sort out the quality of its team. The move was provoked by threats to ban Zimbabwe from international cricket after a terrible showing against Sri Lanka at home - the two Test defeats were among the heaviest of all time. The matches against India A are thus crucial to Zimbabwe's future.

And if the ICC accepts Bob Woolmer's proposed restructuring of the international cricket hierarchy, only eight nations will play Tests. This means Zimbabwe, along with Bangladesh, will be relegated to a lower rank, competing with the likes of Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.

India A itinerary July 22-25 v Zimbabwe XI at Harare Sports Club, July 29-August 1 v Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, August 5-8 v Zimbabwe at CFX Cricket Academy