London, July 23: Former Zimbabwe fast bowler Henry Olonga believes that it is time for his country to be allowed back into Test cricket.
Zimbabwe last played a Test match in 2005 after a majority of the team’s first-choice players went on a strike following a dispute with the national board.
According to reports, discussions are under way to restore the African team to the five-day game as early as next year.
“I think on the whole it is right for Zimbabwe to move forward. It is a difficult decision for me to say that because on the one hand I have protested against countries playing in Zimbabwe and been very up front about that,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Olonga, as saying.
“I think what Zimbabwe needs now is a slow and steady reintroduction to Test cricket. It’s not as though whenever Mugabe is out of power, we can start talking about it the next day. By then it is too late,” he added.
The 34-year-old said that the decision should be influenced by Zimbabwe’s recent success in the ODI format.
“We are starting to play well in one-day cricket now so let’s use this momentum and get to the stage where they are a competitive Test side in three or four years,” Olonga said.
“The way forward is for Zimbabwe to play some of the lesser teams first and if we don’t get beaten in two days then we are heading in the right direction,” he added.