Carlisle Dropped

[Prince EWS]

Well that will just about do me.

I knwo he scored slowly, but he did reach 30, which is more than can be said for most of the other batsmen. Zim had lost early wickets and he settled things, as he has done so many times in the past. I suspect he was just about to get into full cry as well. A similar innings, which ended in a century, against Australia A a while back when he opened springs to mind.

Disgraceful decision again.

And, contrary to popular belief, these bad selection by Zimbabwe are no longer motivated by race. They are just BAD decisions. They dont appear to biased, just rediculous. He has been replaced by Sean Williams, and while Williams is a promising young batsman, there is no way he is better than Carlisle at this stage of his development. Furthermore, it means Sibanda will now open the batting.

Streak has also pulled out of the match with injury.

Masakadza has been recalled for Chibhabba, which is the only good news, really.

[Prince EWS]

And what a great decision it turned out to be.....

Sibanda gone for just 1. Zimbabwe 4/1

[Prince EWS]

Masakadza is also gone. It appears he is on the outer from the ODI side now after a string of peformances.

Hes gone for a Duck and Zimbabwe are 4/2. Taibu, despite his own horrible form, seems to get lifted up one place in the batting order each game. Hes in at 4 for this game.

[Prince EWS]

Taylor starting to look good. It seems he was just sweating on the introduction of Yadav.

Like most young batsmen in the early stages of their international career though, he relies too much on boundaries. 20 of his 26 runs have come from boundaries, and I think he hit a three also. He needs to work the singles more when the bad balls arent coming. That should come with experience though.

[Prince EWS]

Taylor run out.

That always seems to happen when Zimbabwe build a good, solid-looking partnership. They just cant help but get out somehow. I have really developed a hatred for run outs in the past 6 months.

[Prince EWS]

Yadav is really taking some punishment. Zimbabwe have targeted him it seems.

Anyway, it definately feels like I am talking to absolutely no-one. It looked like this forum had a pretty decent Zimbabwe section, and thats why I joined really, but no-one is here!

[Prince EWS]

Zimbabwe have gone absolutely mental against the part-time bowlers. Streak and Coventry going all out against Yadav, then Ganguly and now specialist spinner Murali Kartick.

97/3 off 22 overs now, after a very slow and circumspect start.

[Prince EWS]

Well, I have the proper story now. Carlisle wasnt dropped at all - he simply withdrew himself from the squad, as did Craig Wishart.

A row over contracts between Zimbabwe Cricket and its players is threatening to develop into the kind of ugly strike that brought cricket to its knees here 18 months ago.

Zimbabwe Cricket had offered Tatenda Taibu, Heath Streak and Andy Blignaut renewed contracts, but withdrew offers made to Stuart Carlisle, Craig Wishart, Barney Rogers and Neil Ferreira after the first two refused to take part in Sunday's one-day international against India.

Other players have been told that their contracts would be considered at the end of this month, depending on how they perform in the next few weeks. This has upset the players. Carlisle told AFP: "This could even be just as serious for cricket here as the last dispute 18 months ago because this time the black players are with us."

Carlisle was at the forefront of the 2004 strike sparked by Streak's sacking for complaining about alleged racism by the selectors. He was one of 15 contracted players, all white, who backed Streak and were fired in turn. This set off months of negotiations characterised by hostilities and legal confrontations.

Carlisle said at his Harare home Saturday that he told Kevin Curran, the Zimbabwe coach, that he did not want to play against India in the last league match of the Videocon Cup, nor did Wishart. They preferred, he said, for lower-level players to be given the experience.

Carlisle said this was reported by Curran to ZC general manager Osias Bvute, who "immediately withdrew my contract and those of the others". Carlisle, who has played in 37 Tests and 112 ODIs for his country, now faces the end of his international cricket career, along with Wishart, Rogers and Ferreira, the latter after playing in just one match against New Zealand last month.

Carlisle said: "I have plans in hand, but I cannot say what they are." Carlisle and Grant Flower, who is now with Essex, were the most outspoken of the players during their 2004 dispute with ZC. All the affected contract players have held several meetings during the last two days and will have another one on Monday concerning the issue.

Clive Field, their representative, has held at least one meeting with Bvute, but the outcome is not known. Bvute was not available for comment. Those newly contracted are also unhappy with the overall situation and have been involved in meetings with the others, Field said. Streak commented: "I can confirm that there are to be further talks on this issue next week. Other than that I should not discuss it."

It seems logical (although still unjust and unfair) to remove the offers to Carlisle and Wishart, as they stepped down against the wished of the ZC. However, what does this exactly have to do with Rogers and Fereirra? They seem completely removed from this event, yet their offers have also been withdrawn! This makes no sence at all.

I hope it all gets sorted out soon, because if it doesnt, this will surely mean the end of Carlisle and Wishart, and perhaps Rogers as well, which would be the ultimate tragedy as he only showed us a taste of what he has to offer.

[admin]

Welcome to the board, Prince EWS. Some of this thread contained commentary on the one-day international against India. Perhaps if you had posted a match thread in the World Cup & ODI forum you may have received some replies. Zimbabwe had nothing to lose by playing positively today as they were already out of the final and had some senior players missing. It was a dead rubber and a good opportunity to blood some young players. It was pleasing to see the 22 year old Charles Coventry make his first half-century to help Zimbabwe post a competitive target. He has yet to play a Test match but could be considered in the forthcoming series against India.

I can't help thinking that contract issues may be hampering the team's preparations for their matches as it must be a huge distraction for the players. Contrast that situation with England and Australia who have settled teams helped by fixed term contracts.

[stone bird]

taylor hits a lot of boundaries since his running between wickets is as good as inzaman's...he really needs to improve this area!