HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) chairman Peter Chingoka says it is “very realistic” for the southern African country to return to Test cricket within 18 months following the appointment of a new coaching team.

Alan Butcher was announced as Zimbabwe’s new coach over the weekend, supported by assistant Stephen Mangongo and former internationals Heath Streak and Grant Flower.

Chingoka told The Associated Press yesterday that he agreed with Butcher’s early assessment that Zimbabwe could be playing Tests again in 18 months. The country withdrew from Test cricket

in 2006.

“If you talk to experts like (director of coaching) Dave Houghton and Alan Butcher they will tell you it’s very realistic, and I fully agree with them,” Chingoka said.

“We just need to play a lot of games against ‘A’ sides from the leading Test nations. When we get back to Tests, we would want to start with lower sides like Bangladesh and then work ourselves upwards. The management is working on a programme to take us to where we want.”

Chingoka was adamant the game is making progress following a period of deterioration that mirrored the economic and political problems in the country.

“It’s healthy and long may it continue,” Chingoka said. “The game is bigger than all of us. Everyone is just concentrating on cricket.”

Zimbabwe announced in 2006 that it was temporarily withdrawing from Test cricket, and has not played a Test

since then.

But the country has overhauled its domestic game with a restructured competition called the Logan Cup that has convinced former inter-nationals like Sean Ervine to return home from England.

The country’s first Twenty20 competition was also played recently, featuring former Australia all-rounder Ian Harvey and England’s Chris Silverwood as player-coaches.

Zimbabwe’s rejuvenation has continued with the appointment as head coach of the 56-year-old Butcher, father of former England Test batsman Mark.

Streak, a former Zimbabwe captain, was selected as bowling coach with Grant Flower, brother of England team director Andy, the new batting coach.

“We endorsed them unanimously,” Chingoka said of the new coaching set-up. “They have the full support of

the board.”

The ZC chairman also denied suggestions that Butcher’s appointment was an attempt to help normalise the country’s frosty relationship with Britain.