Zimbabwe

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

OK, should we try and lure him over, and would the ECB/ ICC let it happen ?

[Goatman]

There is precident for this in Basil D'Oliviera, so I think ECB would find themslevs in a very easy legal/moral position if they did. ICC would have to work very hard to find justification in preventing it. Don't think it will/necessarily should happen though...

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

The guy who really impressed me during the recent world series games was Ervine who started the series batting at 8 and by the end of it was at 4 or 5!

[Mark Kidger]

I've just read a report that a whole string of Australian players are considering withdrawing from the Zimbabwe tour. There is also a rather confusing pice suggesting that the ICC may review Zimbabwe's Test status if the current row continues. It goes on to say though that the Chairman of the ICC has received assurances from the ZCU that the dispute is not about race "as it is simplistically being reported". In other words, the ZCU assurances being accepted seem to suggest that the ICC will not get involved.

[Whips_off_the_bails]

The ICC is spineless, although I was pleasantly surprised by Malcolm Speed standing up to Sri Lanka over its completely unsubstantiated accusations about Chris Broad.

By contrast, FIFA has suspended six of their 200 members in the past three years, including Greece and Azerbaijan. This was due to "repeated violation of sport's fundamental issues."

Such violations seem to be acceptable in cricket, though, for the ICC.

Alas, too many commonwealth member boards would like to exploit the Zimbabwe issue in order to embarrass, bankrupt, or at least weaken the influence of the ECB.

[Mark Kidger]

Originally Posted by sostenurter

I've read a few articles over the weekend saying that if a national government bans its team from touring, then the ICC must accept that decision - it can't fine or ban the team in question. All rather obvious really - however the ICC behaves it doesn't have more authority than a national government, especially when the government in question is democratically elected.

It seems to me that both the government and the ECB are playing a game of brinkmanship over this. Neither side want to make a moral decision. The ECB don't want to risk being fined or banned from international cricket. The government don't want to create an "international situation", affect relations with other African countries, or indeed upset anyone ever anywhere. All this talk emanating from the ECB about being "certain to tour" and there being "no doubt" seems to me designed to force the government's hand. I don't think the ECB do want England to tour, they just realise that for the good of English cricket, they need to get the government to stop them from touring rather than making the decision unilaterally themselves. At least, I hope that is the case, as I really don't think we should tour Zimbabwe. And whilst this kind of realpoliticking may seem morally unsavoury, I'd prefer it to the alternative, which is that the ECB really does want to tour.

I'm sorry if this is obvious to everyone else, or if it sounds like complete rubbish, I just brought it up because no one in the media etc. seems to be saying anything like this. I'd be interested to know what you all think. I think the best outcome for English cricket would be if the government banned the team from touring. What should definitely not happen is what happened at the World Cup where it seemed as if all the responsibility was heaped on the players.

Remember that Mugabe is a hero in many African countries and popular in many other ex-colonies. The ZCU has already stated that they will bankrupt the ECB if England do not tour and although that may look like grandstanding, the ECB has suddenly discovered that it isn't and that there is a real danger that they will be deliberately bankrupted if they do not tour, with the ICC supporting any sanctions. If it comes down to a vote on sanctions, will any other ICC member back England and risk upsetting black Africa and the Asian block? The best that England can hope for is one or two countries to abstain, but one suspects from similar recent cases that even New Zealand would vote against the ECB.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Exactly we'd be hung out to dry by all and sundry. I think this could be the spark that fires up on or two players. I say go, wipe the floor with them (not hard with their current problems) even better bring in heath streak just to rub there noses in it. Then start on the rest

[Mark Kidger]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

Exactly we'd be hung out to dry by all and sundry. I think this could be the spark that fires up on or two players. I say go, wipe the floor with them (not hard with their current problems) even better bring in heath streak just to rub there noses in it. Then start on the rest

My thoughts entirely. If we have to tour, send a team that will wipe the floor with them and as brutally as possible.

Heath Streak though must be in fear of his life. I guess that he's in hiding right now. If he defected to England and then returned his life would be in real danger.

[flanflinger]

Would Heath be eligble to play?

I know Flower now has residency, but doesn't he will have to go through a qualification period, and by then he will be way too old surely?

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Havent got a clue chaps. My thought on going arent to "big up" Mugabes regime, more rubbish and spineless ****es that are the ICC, and the rest of the crciket boards who are happy to back the ICC and in effect mugabe just to make life difficult for our cricket system.