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October in Zimbabwe is pregnant with expectation. After the long, dry months of winter, the heat is back, without the rain - so, each afternoon, eyes are drawn to the gathering clouds in anticipation that that might be the day the heavens finally open. Until the rains come, the air remains heavy with the accumulated haze of winters fires, the giant trees look tired from thirst and the heat becomes oppressive. By evening, the clouds have dissipated, taking hope with them. Maybe tomorrow.Zimbabwe cricket has built a similar feeling of anticipation on a handful of occasions since 2009, when it first began to stir from the tumult of the post-rebel period. But, each time, like an October afternoon, hope turned to more disappointment.It is probably better to whisper it, then, but as Zimbabwe prepare to play their 100th Test on Saturday, expectation is in the air once more. There have been times in the past few years when every Test, no matter how painful the result, felt worth savouring for the simple fact that they came along so rarely. What, one might wonder, are the odds of Zimbabwe playing another 100 at the current rate, in the current environment?Those odds will always be determined by happenings beyond the boundary, which too freely dictate the rise and (mostly) fall of Zimbabwes on-field fortunes. Yet, at least now, there are positive movements that could bring improvement to those playing the game.Heath Streak has come in as head coach, adding stability after a chaotic few months in which the inexperienced Makhaya Ntini was thrown in at the deep end, probably unfairly. More significantly, having now had several months to get his teeth into his new administrative roles, Tatenda Taibu feels that the wheels are starting to turn. Breaking away from an umpires meeting delivered by former Zimbabwe international and ICC match referee Andy Pycroft on Thursday morning, Taibu confirmed that the domestic season is due to start on November 22 and should run through to August. Significantly, as many as 40 contracts are expected to be offered, ranging from one to three years. This is a major improvement on the paltry six-month contracts that domestic cricketers have previously been offered for a pitifully short first-class season.Equally important has been the increasing number of fixtures enjoyed by the Zimbabwe A team, who have hosted South Africa A and Pakistan A in recent months. Those tours, along with a visit by a Sri Lankan Development Emerging side in July, have begun to unearth new talent that Streak has promised to make use of. Finally, challengers are emerging to the old faces in the Zimbabwe side, who have maintained their places because of a lack of alternatives. Fast bowler Carl Mumba and top-order batsman Tarisai Musakanda could make their international debuts in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka after impressing for Zimbabwe A. When I took on the job, I said that I wanted to push some of the youngsters, but I also said that I wanted to create a platform for young guys to showcase themselves, said Streak. Before, when you didnt make the national side there was nothing below that, other than domestic cricket, or there were gaps of no cricket, which made it difficult for guys to get back in the side or showcase their ability. So thats definitely something Im going to create, and Im also looking at succession planning, and where we see gaps and where we see youngsters, that will be able to fill them. That will reflect in contracts, in selections and in age-group teams - working out what we need to keep supporting the national team.However, as is always the case for Zimbabwe, a lack of continuity in Tests means that they must show improvement now. Their next Test assignment, as things stand, is a tour of Sri Lanka next June, meaning their 100th and 101st Tests could be their last chance to make an impression for eight months. The Sri Lanka team that has traveled to Zimbabwe is young and raw, but by June they could resemble a wisened old group of pros by Zimbabwe standards - especially if they achieve their objectives on this tour.Its quite an exciting time for us, because it is very much a rebuilding time, but because of injuries were forced to accelerate that process and play some young guys, coach Graham Ford said. Some of the young chaps that will play have been in and around the Test squad for the last while but havent got much game time. This is a chance for them to show what they can do and for us to assess them further, and hopefully theyll take that opportunity.We do have a really tough series coming up in South Africa over the Christmas period, so its important that we keep trying to make progress. When we played England in England we got beaten but the key was to make progress and I think we did improve along the way. We certainly improved against Australia, and were going to need to keep improving if were going to compete against South Africa in South Africa.Such a schedule is the envy of Zimbabwes cricketers, who have played just six Tests in three years - as many as Sri Lanka have played this year alone. Streak feels that if they are to make immediate improvement, a new culture is required. Obviously its still very early in my tenure, but what I hope people will be able to see [in this series] is a change in mindset, Streak said. I want to encourage the guys not to be scared of losing and not to like losing. In the past we had this mindset where were just happy to be able to compete and not embarrass ourselves at this level. And as a group weve spoken about it and decided were not happy to do that any more. Weve got to take things forward.Of course, as has been the case for so long in Zimbabwe, events away from the field will determine how long progress on it may last. With Zimbabwe Cricket carrying $19m debt and no fresh income streams on the horizon, it is difficult to see how they can afford a bigger and better domestic system, more contracts, a proposed new academy and more tours for the A team. ZCs finances have been in such disarray that, nearly 10 months after the end of their financial year, they are still to have an audit signed off - a situation that has put them at odds with the ICCs new requirements.In theory, there is much to be positive about. But until the issues of finance and administration are taken care of, the game in Zimbabwe will continue to feel like another hot afternoon in Harare, when the rain just wont come.Robert Newhouse Womens Jersey . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. Chuck Howley Jersey . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. http://www.cowboysrookieproshop.com/Cowboys-Charles-Haley-Jersey/ . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. Jay Novacek Womens Jersey . 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Randy White Youth Jersey .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed.The main reason Mississippi has tumbled from the national rankings and turned into a middling team in the Southeastern Conference is its inconsistent defense, especially when it comes to stopping the run.That makes Georgia Southern an even more dangerous opponent.Ole Miss (3-5) will be the heavy favorite when it hosts Georgia Southern (4-4) on Saturday, but the Eagles run-based option offense -- which is ranked 21st in the nation with 239 yards per game -- has the potential to cause problems for the Rebels.They are a scary matchup because of all the athletic guys they have running that option offensively, Freeze said.Ole Miss has been one of the worst teams in the SEC in several defensive categories this season. The Rebels are giving up 32.5 points per game, which ranks last in the league and theyre giving up 236.9 yards rushing per game, which is 13th out of 14 SEC teams.It continues to be an issue for us on defense, stopping the run and giving up explosive plays, Freeze said. I have zero frustration in the effort of our kids. I do continue to have frustration over not being able to fix a recurring problem.Georgia Southern has lost four of its last five games, including 34-10 to Appalachian State last week.-----Some other things to watch when Ole Miss hosts Georgia Southern:KELLYS ENCORE: Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly threw for a school-record 465 yards in last weeks 40-29 loss to Auburn. The Rebels havent had many problems moving the ball throughh the air this season -- theyre first in the SEC and 14th nationally with 325.dddddddddddd4 yards passing per game.REBELS TRYING TO AVOID LONGER SKID: Ole Miss has lost three games in a row for the first time since 2013. The Rebels havent lost four in a row since 2011, which was previous coach Houston Nutts final season. Ole Miss has a 30-1-2 record against current Sun Belt programs, including a 4-0 mark under Freeze.QUITE A KICKER: Ole Miss kicker Gary Wunderlich was recently named one of the nations 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award. The junior has been one of the most reliable kickers in the SEC, making 13 of 14 field goals and 31 of 33 extra points.VALIANT EFFORT VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN: Georgia Southern lost to Western Michigan 49-31 in September. It didnt seem like a noteworthy result at the time, but it turns out its been one of Western Michigans closer games this season. Western Michigan now has a 9-0 record and is the No. 17 ranked team in the nation.YOUNG SUMMERS: Georgia Southern is led by first-year head coach Tyson Summers. At 36 years old, hes the third-youngest coach at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. Only Memphis Mike Norvell and Western Michigans P.J. Fleck are younger at 35.---Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP .---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org . ' ' '