Your thread though interesting,in your introduction,you mention' Hussain takes a swipe at the ICC over the Zimbabwe issue,makes it sound like it is only the ICC to blame(I used to think that)not the whole story though is it OC.

The Guardians report is the better of the two,I think.

Why should all the blame be percieved as being laid at the ICC's door,The ECB has come out of this affair with very little credit,and the British government led by Mr Blair,has no small part to play in this fiasco.

Hussain says it all in one little paragraph"We have been hung out to dry by the British government,and the cricketing establishment offered no support other than watered down sentiments.(Tell us something new)

We have gone over this time and time again,but little things tag on.

What I think.

1)Mr Blair and Mr Straw,most to blame,encouraged England not to play in the world cup,and did not want us to tour Zimbabwe,could not help though,commercial intests maybe.?They would not even help with the small amount it would have took to pay any fines.
2)The ECB did not have the balls to stand up to anyone,the stand still approach of the ICC,or the blatent inaction of our Government
3)The ICC made it clear it would act in Englands favour,if it was told by mr Blair,that England could not tour Zimbabwe,(India and Pakistan get dispensations),this was reported on TV Text,and will be archived,so I will name that as my soarce.
4)Hussain himself,why did he not speak out?if not as England captain,or an England player,then if he was so concerned ,as he feels he has to make so muck fuss now,he could have spoke as a human being.
5)Outsiders,Ricky Ponting,is now saying it was the right thing to do,to tour Zimbabwe,I question his motives for saying that,after seeing what has gone on,and even some Shri Lankens saying it was not a fit place to tour,and the facilities were terrible.
No I think he was having a dig,

The ECB must now make the decsission now,and fingers to the world,no one is going to help.
Ernest

Admin - Link to original thread in the England forum: Journalist Hussain takes a swipe at ICC
Nominated by R W S.