Closing the class divide

Heath Streak is worried about a cricketing divide

by BBC World Service's Chris Florence

Zimbabwe's captain Heath Streak believes the younger Test nations like his own, and now Bangladesh, need help from the International Cricket Council.

He wants to prevent a gap developing between the have and have-not countries.

Zimbabwe have recently lost all-rounder Neil Johnson, who returned to South Africa, and batsman Murray Goodwin, who is resuming his career with Western Australia.

Streak describes both as "world-class" and they have left a sizeable gap in the international team.

"The ICC need to look at the way fledgling countries try to keep their players, otherwise a large gulf will grow between the larger countries and the likes of Bangladesh, Kenya and ourselves," he said.

We need as much help as we can get to play against the likes of South Africa, England and Australia if we are to improve our game

  Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak

"We need as much help as we can get to play against the likes of South Africa, England and Australia if we are to improve our game.

"Tours there are lucrative because of the currency exchanges, but we also need help to develop our game at home.

"We have to offer top facilities and a first-class structure. Otherwise, the countries at the top will be developing at a faster rate then the rest of us.

"Five or 10 years down the line, that could create a serious problem.

"Naturally, the bigger countries have a large player base than the rest of us, and we have to make sure we look after our players the best we can with the right facilities and incentives."

Heath Streak took over the captaincy at a difficult time for the national team.

He replaced wicketkeeper Andy Flower, who was reported to have been linked with the team's pay negotiations with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union earlier in the year.

Johnson is missed by Zimbabwe

The country's internal social and political problems also upset members of the team while they were on tour in the Caribbean and then in England.

He admitted it had not been easy and the loss of key players like Johnson and Goodwin have added to his concerns.

"The balance of our side, particularly in the batting, is probably a little light at the moment," he said following the team's defeat by New Zealand in the ICC Knockout in Nairobi.

"But I still have a lot of belief in the talent we have. We have to show confidence in our younger players and they will come through for us.

"We are also getting used to a new coach with Carl Rackemann taking over. It all takes time to fit together, along with new faces in the team.

"We have to establish a gameplan and find what works for us.

"We have some good youngsters and more talent back home. We should have a good unit developing in maybe six or 12 months down the line.

"But we still need plenty of exposure at international level."