Houghton wants Zimbabwe suspended

There are a few things we do not have control of Tatenda Taibu

Former captain David Houghton says Zimbabwe should have their Test status suspended until their form improves.

Houghton was summarising on TV as his former side were bowled out for a national record low 54 by South Africa on day one of the first Test.

"Zimbabwe should come out of it for a little while and play against Bangladesh, Kenya and the A teams.

"People sitting back and watching this have got to be saying that this is wrong," said Houghton.

"It's time someone told them the truth - you can't have this cricket on the international arena.

Zimbabwe were re-admitted to Tests earlier this year following a temporary suspension enforced by the International Cricket Council.

Despite their dismal performance, an ICC spokesman confirmed "no country will have its Test status taken away from it".

Brendan McClements added: "What the ICC is interested in is looking at ways it can assist countries such as Zimbabwe and Bangladesh."

Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu said: "Losing our Test status has been talked about but there are some things that are out of our control and that is one of them.

"We try not to stick our noses into that we are just trying to play cricket and that's the best thing we can do."

South Africa's Mark Boucher said: "We owe it to Zimbabwe to walk out and play hard cricket but deep down I suppose the South African guys do sympathise with them."

He said team-mate Jacques Kallis thought he had missed the world record for the fastest half-century in Test cricket.

"We sent a message to Jacques from the dressing room with six balls to go but he lost track and thought he had missed it," wicket-keeper Boucher said.

However, Kallis duly did eclipse a 24-year-old record by passing 50 from his 24th ball faced.