Zimbabwe could play test in six months, says Speed

HARARE, Aug 1 (Reuters) Zimbabwe could return to test cricket in six months, International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed said today.

''Ultimately it will be a decision of the ICC board but there will be an evaluation first,'' Speed told a media conference in Harare when he asked when Zimbabwe might resume playing test matches.

Speed added that Zimbabwe could return in six, 12 or 18 months.

The Zimbabwe government took control of cricket in January and one of the first decisions taken was to withdraw the national team from the test arena.

The chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), Peter Chingoka, was non-committal when asked when Zimbabwe might play their next test.

''We are still aiming at next year. We don't have an exact date yet,'' Chingoka told the media conference.

REUTERS DH KN1920