Youngsters like Stuart Matsikenyeri offer hope for Zimbabwe

After arriving with a squad short on experience, they were thrashed in three days in both Test matches.

And just when it seemed things could not get any worse, the decision to rest key players for the first of two games in Ireland resulted in humiliation as they lost by 10 wickets.

They had hit rock bottom - but although they may be lacking in terms of technique and quality, a spirit of togetherness encouraged by skipper Heath Streak and coach Geoff Marsh has enabled them to ride out the crisis.

Although they subsequently failed to reach the final of the NatWest Series, individual players have shown signs that there may be better times ahead if everyone remains patient.

Among them is 20-year-old Stuart Matsikenyeri, who arrived on tour with just three one-day internationals behind him.

Circumstances could hardly have been less favourable when he walked out to bat against England at Trent Bridge, with his side on 15-4.

In three or four years we will become a different side altogether Vice-captain Tatenda Taibu

But although Grant Flower's unbeaten 96 was the match-winning innings, it was Matsikenyeri who put the self-belief back into Zimbabwe by counter-attacking boldly to make 44.

"As a young guy new to the team, what made it easier for me than I expected it to be was the attitude of the senior guys - they are very welcoming and we are like a family.

"When I got to the wicket, Grant Flower just laughed and told me to enjoy the challenge - that I was an international cricketer, which meant I was good enough to be there and play like one," he said.

England took their revenge at Bristol by skittling the tourists for 92 - but in the middle of the chaos, Matsikenyeri again stood out as he top scored with 26.

The potential is there - as a 13-year-old he once shared a stand of 387 in a school match with best friend Tatenda Taibu, now Zimbabwe's wicket-keeper and vice-captain.

Matsikenyeri's off-spin has not yet been seen in international cricket

They grew up in the Highfield township near Harare and were introduced to cricket by coach Stephen Mangongo.

"My parents couldn't afford to get me to a cricket game at all, so my coach had a lot to do with getting me to games, wherever I needed to be, to get going in the sport.

"He had a lot to do with my earliest stage of cricket and after getting a scholarship to senior school, a businessman from Harare, who sponsored me, bought my uniforms and cricket gear," said Matsikenyeri.

He still has a long way to go to prove himself at international level, improving shot selection will be crucial if he is to progress into the Test side.

"In 1995 we watched our country's first Test win together. Andy and Grant Flower both batted well and Stuart said to me 'Wouldn't it be nice if one day we could play on this ground for Zimbabwe together?'," recalls Taibu.