Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Zimbabwe Cricket Union's operational teams were hard at work yesterday (Monday) as they finalized a three-year plan to help Zimbabwe become a test playing nation again.

CSA CEO Gerald Majola and his Zimbabwe counterpart Ozias Bvute led their respective delegations as they  thrashed out various issues related to the running of the game in Zimbabwe, taking a break to enjoy lunch with the Proteas Standard Bank ODI team at the launch of the Mutual & Federal SA Cricket Annual at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg.

Majola said: "The plan, which targets grassroots cricket up to the national team, and the administration of Zimbabwe cricket, will now be work-shopped by CSA's Cricket Committee, the Chief Executive's Committee and will finally make its way to the CSA Board Meeting next February for final ratification.

"We had a constructive session yesterday and now we look forward to gaining further insight from the Cricket Committee and the Chief Executive's Committee before presenting the three-year plan to the Board. Both Boards are determined to find a successful and sustainable structure for Zimbabwe cricket."

Bvute said: "We met with Cricket South Africa yesterday and we are happy with the progress made with input from both parties. We shared ideas and looked for ways that will positively impact Zimbabwe Cricket. We are confident that jointly we will come up with a long term solution."

CSA President Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka, whose Board tasked CSA CEO Gerald Majola said: "It is important that we reach out to Zimbabwe and we see this as a necessary step in taking cricket in the region to top International standards both at playing and administrative levels."

ZCU President Peter Chingoka was equally upbeat: "Zimbabwe has a wealth of cricket talent and we want to turn them into stars. Cricket South Africa have strong development structures and we look forward to learning from them as we continue unearthing the stars of the future."