News that the International Cricket Council General Manager, Geoff Allardice is expected in the country this week to address the issue of game time for the Chevrons is refreshing.

Zimbabwe could benefit by playing matches against every country that visits South Africa if the discussions between ICC and ZC yield positive results.

But before talk of cricket the international, it is of paramount importance that Zimbabwe Cricket settles outstanding issues on the local front

After Zimbabwe were bowled out for an ignominious 54 in the fifth ODI against Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club last Sunday, one supporter in the stadium was heard saying:

“Charity should begin at home, we cannot cry for more international cricket when we don’t play enough cricket on our own.”

In sport there are no short cuts to success.

The local league is finally underway after being postponed three times while the Zimbabwe Premier League, a premier club competition is also running.

The domestic league will run for nine months after the cricket development office run by Givemore Makoni realized there was inadequate cricket on the domestic front.

There have been arguments on the level of competition and also quality of cricket from club level up to the provincial game.

All active provinces Mashonaland, Midlands, Bulawayo, Mutare, Masvingo and Harare have got their leagues, but adequate game time is still lacking.

For example the Mashonaland Vigne Cup has eight teams that play two rounds of matches from October to March but oftentimes some matches are rained off.

Some have called for the league to run from August so that it can be completed and also the two rounds of action that culminates into 16 games is believed to be insufficient.

In UK clubs play 30 matches per season.

Also, most Zimbabwe national team players are reluctant to play club cricket when they are free from national duty.

Yet in countries like Australia legends of the game such as Mitchell Johnson, Ricky Pointing and Michael Clarke have played for their clubs when available.

At least all national team players are mandated to play for their clubs in the ongoing ZPL.

It would be better if ZC would create a provincial B league for fringe players and also provincial academies that feed into a national academy.

The last ZC academy was in 2015 and it ran for six months without even making a tour to any country.

A two-day cricket club competition could also address the problem of crease occupation by batters.

There are reports the disbanded Southern Rocks province will be back next season.

At the end of the day there is no substitute for game time and ZC and its players desperately need games locally and internationally.