Martin Lauritsen (Australia)

In answer to your question, India were Zimbabwe's first opponents with the locals acquitting themselves very ably, scoring 400 plus in the 1st dig and achieving a very noble draw, the first team not to be defeated at their first attempt since Australia in the very first Test match in 1876!

Michael Gorey (Australia)

I really enjoy your weekly newsletter. I was inspired by the interview with Stuart Carlisle. Congratulations to him and thanks for reporting his achievement. I hope he does well in South Africa. I've asked before about Adam Huckle, without enlightenment. Shane Warne regarded him a better leg spinner than Paul Strang. Come on, Adam! When will you be back in the Zimbabwe team? Hopefully before the tour of Australia in 2000-01.

Reply: We're all still waiting to hear some good news about Adam, but in vain!

Richard Holdridge (England)

Eight million years ago you kindly sent me scores of matches played by Zimbabwe in the early post Currie Cup days, then arranged for copies of various Zimbabwe cricket magazines to be sent. Now news of Zimbabwe cricket arrives, courtesy of telephone lines, and what a fabulous job you do!

I have only recently started accessing the internet and become quite rapidly bogged down with all the information that is available. It really is quite staggering.

I only have one question about Zimbabwe cricket. . . Is the Lilthurbridge Cup still played for?

Reply: Yes it is, and I hope we will be able to include information on it in our magazine later in the year. For the benefit of other readers, the Lilthurbridge Cup is played for by Mashonaland Country Districts teams during the Zimbabwean winter, between May and August.

Barnabas Mlambo (Zimbabwe)

Its great to see Zimbabwe winning again. We may have lost the series to Sri Lanka but I'm sure that a lot of valuable lessons were learnt by our team. At the level that Zimbabwe is now playing at we cannot afford to make any silly mistakes or to lose concentration at all. Talent has taken us this far but it is discipline, focus and a desire to win in all situations that will take us to the pinnacle of success.

Watching South Africa and England in their "Millennium Test Series" one can see that it's not going to be easy to beat either of the two sides. But Zimbabwe does have the skilled manpower available to repeat their World Cup success over South Africa and continue their dominance over England (without Brandes).

We are definitely looking forward to some swashbuckling cricket from the National Team!!

Good luck to the team.

Hugh Sharp (England)

I would welcome hearing your views about how the selectors will pick the team for the England tour this year. There is a real tension between (a) picking the tried and trusted players for a series where Zimbabwe's credibility will be on the line, and (b) getting YOUNG players into the team at a time when they can start learning at the highest level early. On the 1993 tour to England I watched Heath Streak (then 19) and Alistair Campbell (then 20 - but already the regular test no. 3). I really hope we in England will be able to see players like Andy Blignaut, Greg Lamb, Dirk Viljoen, Douglas Marillier and Mark Vermeulen. Can someone tell your selectors too that Bryan Strang's bowling is just made for English conditions - a great loss that he was not in the World Cup squad.

Reply: Most of the selectors were in England during the World Cup and will be aware of the type of player needed. As you suggest, they will no doubt try to strike a balance between experience and youth; they also make it their policy to pick 'horses for courses' and will be looking to match the right players to English conditions. My guess is that perhaps only about two of the players you mention may make the touring team, though, as Zimbabwe have quite a number of players with a little more experience on the fringe of the side who also deserve a chance to gain more experience.