The British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Mr Pete Vowles, visited Harare Sports Club on Thursday to meet Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) officials and the national team ahead of their first tour to England since 2003.
Zimbabwe will play a one-off Test match against England at Trent Bridge in May, marking a resumption of bilateral cricket ties after a 22-year hiatus.
The visit is seen as a key step in rebuilding sporting relations between the two countries.
“Zimbabwe and England share a great history which is premised on England being our former colonial masters and, along with it, they brought cricket which is now part and parcel of our daily lives, our heritage, and most importantly, we speak English,” ZC Chairman Mr Tavengwa Mukuhlani said during the event.
“The momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in world cricket and symbolises the resumption of sporting ties between the two nations, which I believe are healthy and important.
“On our part as Zimbabwe Cricket, for the past 10 years, our main goal and major approach has been to be back in the global nation of cricket, which I believe we have done.
“The results of the just-ended ODI series against Ireland are testament to that.
“We are on the rise and I believe we will continue to show that in May when we travel to England.”
Mr Mukuhlani credited efforts from ZC and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in facilitating the tour.
“The last time Zimbabwe toured England for a cricket series was in 2003 and since then there has been a hiatus in the bilateral cricket relationship,” he said.
“However, after a long wait, Zimbabwe cricketers finally return to England to showcase their skills and talent on the international stage.
“I want to thank our Managing Director, Mr Givemore Makoni, and the former CEO of the ECB, Mr Tom Harrison, who put in a lot of effort and long hours of negotiations with the various administrations at the ECB to eventually have this tour come through.”
Ambassador Vowles expressed his excitement at Zimbabwe’s return to England for a historic Test match and reiterated the power of sport in strengthening relations between the two nations.
“It’s super exciting to be here as British Ambassador to Zimbabwe . . . Ultimately, my job is to strengthen the relationship between Britain and Zimbabwe, between British people and Zimbabwean people, and what better way to do it than through sports – and what better way to do it than through cricket,” he said.
“We are so excited that Zimbabwe will be travelling to the UK to play England in May.
“As the Honourable Chairman said, it’s a momentous occasion that after 22 years, it’s a symbol of the relationship between the two countries and between our people.”
On a lighter note, Ambassador Vowles shared his personal connection to Zimbabwe and the dilemma he faces regarding team allegiance.
“My main problem is what shirt to wear. I have probably spent more of my adult life in Zimbabwe than I have in the UK,” he said.
“I am trying to work out which way to split my shirt. Should I have a Zimbabwe shirt on one side and the English on the other, or Zimbabwe on the front and England on the back?”
The visit by the British ambassador, coupled with the upcoming tour, underscores the growing cricketing and diplomatic ties between Zimbabwe and England.
ZC, which has also hosted pre-season tours by English county cricket teams in the last four years, remains committed to fostering international engagements that enhance the growth and development of the game in the country.
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