Zimbabwe Cricket Unveils Plan to Build Test Pitch In Victoria Falls Resort

 Zimbabwe hopes to return into test play later this year after voluntarily dropping out in 2005 under pressure from the International Cricket Council to rebuild the team, decimated by internal feuds and political pressures

Zimbabwe Cricket has announced that it plans to build its third test cricket ground in the northwestern resort town of Victoria Falls to decentralize the sport.

Zimbabwe Cricket Chief Executive Ozias Bvute said his organization has identified the site and is in advanced talks with the Victoria Falls town council about the project.

"We have already done an environmental impact accessment of the site to ensure that the construction of the cricket field will not negatively impact the area and are happy with the way things are going at present," Bvute said.

"Victoria Falls town council is happy with the relationship that we have built and they are excited about the project coming to the resort town, " he added.

Zimbabwe hopes to return into test play later this year after voluntarily dropping out in 2005 under pressure from the International Cricket Council to rebuild the team.

The Australian and South African "A" teams are due in the country next month for preparatory matches with the Zimbabweans. Australia's visit to Zimbabwe signals a thawing of relations between the countries following the 2007 ban of cricketing tours to the Southern African state by Canberra alleging human rights abuses.

"The Australian 'A' team's visit is very important to our team and we happy that open lines of communication between our two nations led to this tour taking off in July and will help prepare our team for returning to test play," Bvute said.

He told VOA Studio 7 reporter Marvellous Mhlanga Nyahuye that architects are finishing plans for the ground to present soon to Victoria Falls town council.

Source: Zimbabwe Cricket Unveils Plan to Build Test Pitch In Victoria Falls Resort (01/06/2011)

See Also

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (2nd July 2010) Zimbabwe to build Test ground at Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (10th June 2011) Plans approved for Victoria Falls ground.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (2nd October 2014) Vic Falls cricket stadium on course.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (2nd October 2014) Mugabe to officiate at ground-breaking for 10 000-seater Vic Falls cricket stadium.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (6th January 2016) Vic Falls cricket stadium construction in limbo.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (24th October 2016) ZC shelves ambitious Vic Falls stadium plan.

The plans were resurrected in 2024 as part of the Masuwe Special Economic Zone development proposals. Construction started in May 2024. Read more on the Keep Victoria Falls Wild website.