ICC Statement on Zimbabwe affair

[Occasional Fan]

The ICC has issued this statement in relation to the present state of cricket in Zimbabwe.

Cricinfo's report of this statement is here.

As far as the comments of the ICC go, I understand and accept them. However, I can't help feeling that they are wearing blinkers rather by restricting themselves solely to cricket matters. I know that the ICC and many others will say that cricket is the only matter in which they have a legitimate interest, and I guess that has to be accepted as well. What a sad situation.

[Mongoose]

The ICC clearly hasn't got the power to tell Zimbabwe cricket how to run its own affairs. It does have the power to change Zimbabwe's status within international cricket, that is, by suspending test and ODI status for Zimbabwe until an acceptable solution is found and Zimbabwe are producing competitive teams again.

In the interim, I think there ashould be an effort by other nations to accommodate Zimbabwean players and coaches wherever possible, so that in the future there will be experienced people who can return to Zimbabwe and help cricket get back on its feet as soon as possible. I'm sure a team of Zimbabwean exiles would be competitive in the national structure of a number of nations, with guys like Andy Flower, Henry Olongo, Tatenda Taibu and Heath Streak.

[Occasional Fan]

I'm sure of that as well, Mongoose, but it then gets far beyond cricket. Many of these guys would, for example, require work permits in order to work in the UK, and perhaps in other places as well. You get into matters of employment law, nationality and immigration status, etc., which is far beyond the scope of the ICC (and beyond my ken, to be honest). I don't say solutions cannot be found, but they would need government involvement, and governments, so far, have turned their backs on the wider Zimbabwe issue as it affects cricket.

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

governments, so far, have turned their backs on the wider Zimbabwe issue as it affects cricket.

Governmants have turned their backs on the Zimbabwe issue full stop. We hear a few words occasionally from Tony Blair or Jack Straw (who then goes on to unwittingly shake Mugabe's hand - shows how much attention Straw pays to Zimbabwe - he can't even recognise the president). When you think how much fuss was made over Afghanistan and Iraq, going in with the troops and changing the regime on both countries, it makes you wonder what more Zimbabwe has to do to get itself a really bad name with Blair and pals. People are starving in Zimbabwe, or being killed quickly by soldiers if they're lucky, yet our (Britain's) attention is on Iraq, because of some phony 'The Emperor's New Weapons' exercise.

[Occasional Fan]

Mongoose, you make some valid points, but we've been over the ground a few times before here and we really should try to stick to the cricket on this forum, I think. I say this only because this issue has proven very emotive here in the past.

[acker]

Zimbabwe's got enough problems now to contend with rather than getting hung up about cricket issues.
It is only a game.

[Uham]

Zimbabwe dosnt care there just playing cricket for the fun of it an $$$$

[Paoli]

Excuse Me?

The players put their hearts on the line every game. And it certainly aint money that's driving them- cos they'd make a lot of money doing other things. One of Zimbabwe's brightest prospects, Under 19 Captain in 1997, Bertus Esramus, gave the game away soon after to become an accountant for about 3 times more pay...as a starting wage!

They play cricket because they love it. Zimbabwean Cricket is in a sorry state, and perhaps it's time to terminate them and hope that internal issues, non cricketing, are sorted out before cricket returns. If Cricket does have a resurgence, a la South Africa, it'll take a while.

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by Mongoose

Governmants have turned their backs on the Zimbabwe issue full stop. We hear a few words occasionally from Tony Blair or Jack Straw. When you think how much fuss was made over Afghanistan and Iraq, going in with the troops and changing the regime on both countries, it makes you wonder what more Zimbabwe has to do to get itself a really bad name with Blair and pals. People are starving in Zimbabwe, or being killed quickly by soldiers if they're lucky, yet our attention is on Iraq, because of some phony 'The Emperor's New Weapons' exercise.

There's no money to be made in Zimbabwe so it doesn't affect America or Britain.

Iraq- Oil Rich $$$
Palestine vs. Israel- 60% or thereabouts of Corporate America is run by the Jewish Community, so therefore America take the Israelis side.
Zimbabwe- Niente, nothing, zilch, zero. Who cares about a country that won't make you money if you invade it?

Also- Roy Bennett's campaign hardly had the international profile and following of Nelson Mandela's.