BULAWAYO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Opposing captains Brian Lara and Heath Streak have called on cricket's world governing body to be more consistent in their allocation of matches to the 10 Test-playing nations.
West Indies skipper Lara and Zimbabwe's Streak, who will lead their sides in the second and final Test starting in Bulawayo today, are both disappointed that only two matches were scheduled for the series.
``The International Cricket Council (ICC) is trying to get together a Test championship, and everybody's got to play each country twice in whatever period of time,'' Lara told reporters yesterday.
``Yet some people (countries) are playing four Test matches; some are playing five and others are playing just two. So it's a bit disorganised in that department.''
Streak said that extended series would be more beneficial between teams at the bottom of the championship table, ``especially for those who don't have high quality domestic structures''.
``If you had at least three Tests, you could learn more from the series,'' Streak added.
Zimbabwe will go into the second Test high on confidence after outplaying their more fancied opponents last week in the drawn series-opener in Harare.
West Indies were set 373 to win only to end on 207 for nine, against a team who had lost their last 11 Tests in a row -- the second worst run in history.
BETTER TEAM
``They bowled better, batted better, fielded better, and they looked like a better team,'' Lara said. ``We escaped, we dodged a bullet, and we have to raise our game in all departments to compete.
``We need to take the opportunity we have been given and go on to try and win the series.''
Zimbabwe have named an unchanged side for the Bulawayo match, but know they missed a golden opportunity to return to winning ways in Harare.
They have never beaten West Indies in a Test.
``It's a disappointment to have done so well, and not to have got that final wicket,'' Streak said. ``Most sides would back themselves, bowling at a number seven and a number 11, to create one or two chances.''
Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh, the former Australia Test opener, agreed.
``Our performance was impressive, but you're only as good as your next Test,'' Marsh said. ``Australia play well in every Test match, and that's what we're striving for.''