SRC await International Cricket Council report

21 Jul, 2019 - 00:07 0 Views
SRC await International Cricket Council report Tavengwa Mukuhlani

The Sunday News

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter 

WHEN two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers! This saying perfectly sums up the situation at Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) where the grass is literally suffering because of the stand-off between the Tavengwa Mukuhlani-led board and the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC). 

The face-off between the Mukuhlani-headed board and the Gerald Mlotshwa chaired-SRC has resulted in Zimbabwe being suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC). At its meeting held in London last Thursday, the ICC board, after hearing from Mukuhlani and the SRC appointed interim committee unanimously agreed to freeze out Zimbabwe due to what they termed Government interference in the operations of ZC. 

The ICC board further directed that the Mukuhlani board, which was elected in Victoria Falls on 14 June, be restored to office within three months, with the decision makers at the world cricket governing body to relook the matter when they next meet in October. 

“As a consequence of suspension, ICC funding to Zimbabwe Cricket will be frozen and representative teams from Zimbabwe will not be allowed to participate in any ICC events. The ICC has directed that the elected Zimbabwe Cricket Board be reinstated to office within three months, and progress in this respect will be considered again at the October Board meeting,’’ read part of the ICC statement. 

As things stand, Zimbabwe’s women’s and men’s senior teams will not be able to take part in ICC Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers. The Mary-Anne Musonda-led Lady Chevrons were meant to take part in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier to be held from the end of August to the beginning of September in Scotland. For the Hamilton Masakadza-captained Chevrons, they are suppose to head off to the United Arab Emirates for the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier scheduled to start on 11 October and conclude on 3 November.

Harare Sports Club cricket pitch which is in bad shape due to the standoff between Zimbabwe Cricket and the Sports and Recreation Commision

With the ICC board to only meet later on in October, Zimbabwe’s participation in the two tournaments is in danger. The Zimbabwean men had booked their place at the Qualifier based on their T20 ranking while the Adam Chifo-coached women secured their spot after being crowned champions at the ICC Women’s Qualifier Africa staged in Harare in May. 

The women have already seen their preparations for the Qualifier disturbed when they failed to travel to Ireland and Netherlands due to ICC withdrawing funding to ZC in the aftermath of the ZC board suspension by the SRC. 

Musonda and her teammates have taken to social media to express their dismay at the ICC decision to suspend Zimbabwe, with the skipper stating that all they wanted was to play cricket. The Lady Chevrons skipper, who led her team to a 50-run triumph over Namibia in the final at Harare Sports Club to qualify for the global event expressed her desire to captivate the nation the same way their netball counterparts did at the Netball World Cup in England. 

“It’s the women who suffer first and suffer the most. We are living this reality now. We just want to play the sport we love. In peace, for Zimbabwe. You see what the @ZimGemsOfficial are doing, making Zimbabwe smile, that’s all we wanted to do too,’’ Musonda posted. 

Some of the Chevrons players have hinted at retirement with only all rounder Solomon Mire, who is based in Australia having confirmed on social media that he had called time on his international career at the age of 29. With ICC having cut their monthly disbursements which are part of controlled funding meant to assist ZC manage their finances, the employees at the local cricket body are facing a second month without salaries. Their remuneration did not come last month and with the ICC having officially confirmed that funding for ZC is frozen, the future is certainly bleak for the employees, who include players and coaches not sure when they will eventually get their salaries. 

Infrastructure is also said to be suffering due to neglect with the pitch at Harare Sports Club in bad shape with people who work on it saying if it does not get attention, it has to be dug up and started from scratch. 

Gerald Mlotshwa

ZC media and communications manager, Darlington Majonga sent out a statement on Friday stating that they were ready to work with the SRC to have the issue of Zimbabwe’s suspension resolved as a matter of urgency. 

“We would like to see our teams playing again as soon as possible and the ZC board is ready to co-operate with the SRC and other stakeholders to get Zimbabwe back to operating within the confines of the ICC statutes again. The board is committed to ensuring our game is financially stable, thriving and of a world-class standard,’’ read part of the statement. 

Mlotshwa yesterday stated they were yet to be officially informed by the ICC of their decision to suspend Zimbabwe. Last Thursday, Mlotshwa said once ICC formally communicate their position, the SRC will activate various contingency measures it had considered in the event of such a decision. 

“That is what we are waiting for because the media releases, including from the ICC media itself, appear contradictory in import and implementation. That formal position will help guide published intentions,’’ Mlotshwa said yesterday. 

While ZC and the SRC are yet to find each other, it is the ZC employees and of course the grass which continues to suffer from Zimbabwe’s suspension by the ICC.  — @Mdawini_29

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds