First Class Cricket Suspended in Zimbabwe

[Andy Mellon]

Well, no sooner do I finish writing the description of domestic cricket in all test playing nations when something happens to make it all out of date!

Apparently, this is all to do with aesthetics! The Mashonaland Cricket Association is claiming that the Zimbabwe Cricket Union recently rebranded itself without prior consultation with provincial bodies. This the MCA is worried about a change in the logo of the ZCU! However, the rebranding apparently cost £72,000! The MCA also say that any such move needed to gain the approval of all the first class clubs and so they are pressing for an EGM to propose a motion of no confidence in the ZCU. This has led to the suspension of all first class cricket in Zimbabwe.

What I'm not sure about is whether the ZCU called the suspension or whether the first class clubs are refusing to play on principle.

Also, will this effect their international cricket status?

[Beny]

How do the Zimbabwian's plan to pick their national side?

Originally Posted by The Age

The NGO (non-governmental organisation) bill will require human rights organisations operating in Zimbabwe to register with a state-appointed body.Mugabe's government has accused some NGOs of working with Western countries to undermine his rule.Critics have called the NGO bill outdated and repressive

Hmmm. He's been a busy boy!

[Occasional Fan]

It's a bit more than aesthetics, Andy. The lady who designed the new logo was reportedly none other than the wife of Mr Chingoka, and she was allegedly paid handsomely for it. The Mashonaland authority is making a stand against the corruption within the ZC, I think. Here's a report from Cricinfo: link.

This really is potentially disastrous for the game in Zimbabwe. How long can it really be before the ICC kicks ZC out?

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

This really is potentially disastrous for the game in Zimbabwe. How long can it really be before the ICC kicks ZC out?

Don't know, but can't be very long before, especially at this rate. Zimbabwe had enough problems already, and literally the domestic competetion being suspended is a sign of the cricket structure there going from bad to worse. I hope the ICC intervenes before its too late and doesn't sit back like it did before saying the players' dispute with the board was an internal matter of ZC.

[Occasional Fan]

Bata, Nissan and Old Mutual, major sponsors of Zimbabwe Cricket, all pull out by February 2005.

Cricinfo report here.

[Paoli]

Andy, the Logan Cup has restarted. Some impressive results from a number of players who I had not known were still in Zimbabwe. Douglas Marillier looked decent in his return to the fold...incidentally, I wasn't aware, due to the lack of media coverage of Zimbabwe Cricket anywhere. Jordane Nicolle came back after a year or so out....18 months ago he was 12th man for the national team...Tinashe Hove made a comeback and smashed 115. Keith Dabengwa is on fire, making 161 off 162 from Number 8.

Tatenda Taibu continued to sizzle with 151, while Craig Wishart played his first competitive cricket in a while, smashing two 60's.

Here is the Logan Cup page- http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_data...10APR2005.html

[Paoli]

More Logan Cup action, three double tons were scored.

Carlisle 205 for Mashonaland vs. Matabeleland
Marillier 202 for Midlands vs. Manicaland
Ferreira 220* for Manicaland vs. Midlands

All in all, quality batsman like Marillier, Carlisle and Ferreira are finding it way too easy...At least Price, Streak, Ervine and Friend gave a challenge.

http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_data...18APR2005.html

[Teatime FatCat]

Paoli, isn't this half the problem with Zim domestic cricket? Players like Taibu can score mountains of runs and take loads of wickets very easily. How are the younger players going to step up to test class?

Incidentally, how did Cremer do in the domestic competition, and I thought Marillier had abandoned Zim and retired from Test Cricket (or am I wrong?)

[Paoli]

In a post above, I elude to Doug Marillier, with the same thoughts as you.....

Cremer is easily the best performed bowler, in the second round he took 9-173 match figures...

I dont know how they can step up, but there is a Pakistan A tour in a week or so..

[Paoli]

Resounding victories for Manicaland, over champions Mashonaland, and a win for Matabeleland against Midlands. The bowling seemed alot better this time around.

Matabeleland vs. Midlands at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

Manicaland vs. Mashonaland at Harare Sports Club, Harare.