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Wicket-keeper Taibu scored a career-best 83 against West Indies

Three of the four young black players selected made significant contributions when Zimbabwe ended a run of 11 consecutive defeats by dominating the drawn first Test against the West Indies.

Two years ago the ZCU adopted a policy of setting "goals" to include a certain number of black players in every team.

The ZCU denies it is a quota system, but the initial goal was to field three black players in the first team, with an increasing representation over time.

The performance of the team dropped immediately, with some senior players insisting that selection should be made purely on merit.

I believe that perhaps in 15 months or two years time we could have a side that can mix with the best Peter Chingoka

The most vocal critic was batsman Alistair Campbell, who claimed that racism was "tearing the team apart".

Chingoka said: "The people who were trying to magnify the issue of goals into a problem were the same people who were struggling with their form.

"They didn't have the merit to be able to retain their place in the side, and they used the race card as one way of trying to create a problem.

"But more serious and more important is the fact that Zimbabwe cricket can only succeed when it becomes a mass sport.

"I really believe that without setting those goals we wouldn't be making any progress now."

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Campbell quit the team after the World Cup, along with Andy Flower, Henry Olonga, Guy Whittall and Brian Murphy, leaving Zimbabwe considerably weakened.

Zimbabwe struggled during tours to England and Australia and with a growing injury list looked likely to extend their losing run against the West Indies.

But young players from the ZCU's development programme complemented experienced players like Heath Streak and Andy Blignaut.

Test debutant Stuart Matsikenyeri made 57 and 46 not out and Blessing Mahwire, playing in his third Test, took two wickets in the first innings.

Test debutant Stuart Matsikenyeri made 57 and 46 not out

Twenty-year-old vice-captain Tatenda Taibu made a career-best 83.

"The most pleasing thing is that a very, very young side managed to acquit themselves very well against a side of the quality of the West Indies," said Chingoka.

"With our goals system we were actually hoping that by now there would be five non-white players in the side."

Although it would be unwise to conclude Zimbabwe have turned the corner on the evidence of just one match, the process of rebuilding the team may well take less time than many had feared.

Chingoka hopes the match against the West Indies will prove to be a turning point.

"We don't expect to become world-beaters overnight, but I believe that perhaps in 15 months or two years time we could have a side that can mix with the best," he said.

"There's a lot that's very encouraging, and more so if you look at look the "A" side.

"It's a nice multi-racial team that's going to be able to fill the vacancies that may arise in the first team."