Cricket in Zimbabwe

Cricket is a popular sport in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) is a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Cricket was introduced to Rhodesia in the 19th century and the Rhodesian Cricket Union was formed in 1898. Rhodesia participated in the Currie Cup, the South African inter-province competition in 1904/05 and then again from 1929/30 until 1979/80. In May 1980, the new post-colonial country of Zimbabwe severed its cricketing ties with South Africa and it became an Associate Member of the then "International Cricket Conference".

Zimbabwe became a full member of the ICC on 6 July 1992 and played its first Test match on 18–22 October the same year, against India at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. The match was drawn.

During the 2003 cricket World Cup, the political situation in Zimbabwe came to the fore on the cricket field. Two Zimbabwean players, Andy Flower (white) and Henry Olonga (black), defied orders and wore black armbands during matches in protest against the "death of democracy in Zimbabwe" – a reference to their concern over the political actions of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. Both players subsequently retired from cricket and emigrated from Zimbabwe.

On 2 April 2004, Zimbabwe announced that test captain Heath Streak had resigned the captaincy and retired from cricket. Over the following days it became clear that Streak had been dismissed. The fellow white players submitted a list of demands to Zimbabwe Cricket, including the reinstatement of Streak and a review of the team selection process with a view to eliminating political and racial bias imposed by the Mugabe government. The ZC ignored the demands and fielded a team of inexperienced youths in two Tests and three One Day Internationals against the touring Sri Lankan side. The understrength Zimbabwe team was resoundingly defeated, resulting in calls from many players, ex-players, commentators, and fans for the ICC to strip the ZC of Test status until the internal crisis could be resolved.

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