Olonga wants Zimbabwe return to Test Cricket

Former Zimbabwe fast bowler Henry Olonga believes that it is time for his country to be allowed to play Test cricket.

Olonga has been a high-profile opponent of Robert Mugabe's regime and made a public show of dissent against the President when the 2003 World Cup came to Zimbabwe. Olanga and Andy Flower famously wore black armbands to "mourn the death of democracy" during the tournament. Olanga's this action brought about his retirement at age of 26. Olonga received death threats and was charged with treason and he never returned to Zimbabwe, after traveling with the team for a World Cup match in South Africa in 2003.

Henry Olanga played 30 Tests and 50 ODIs for Zimbabwe. He eventually settled in England where he petitioned international teams not to tour his country as a stand against Mugabe's human rights record.

Zimbabwe last played a Test match in 2005 after the majority of the team's first-choice players went on strike following a dispute with the national board. But discussions are under way to restore Zimbabwe to the Test cricket as early as next year and Olonga believes now is the time for reintegration. Olonga admits that he remains uneasy about Mugabe's role in Zimbabwe public life but he knows a return to Test action is essential to give cricket in the country a chance to prosper.