ICC to discuss Zimbabwe future

[theguyinallblue]

ICC to discuss Zimbabwe future The ICC will discuss the future of Zimbabwe cricket at their executive meeting in Dubai next week, according to David Morgan, the president-elect, speaking during the launch of the ICC World Twenty20 at Lord's. Yesterday, Cricket South Africa cut its ties with Zimbabwe Cricket following further deterioration of the political situation. "The ICC has never concerned itself with how member countries are governed," Morgan said. "However, yesterday Cricket South Africa announced that they were scrapping bilateral contact with Zimbabwe Cricket. It has been decided to put Zimbabwe on the agenda of the executive board meeting of the ICC which takes place next Wednesday in Dubai. "Cricket South Africa's decision yesterday is hugely significant," Morgan added. "Clearly they will want something done. They're very influential in terms of southern African cricket and Zimbabwe is part of that. Quite where the various members will stand on it I really don't know - all of this is new as of five o'clock yesterday." Crucially, Ray Mali, the ICC president, said that the issue to be discussed was "Zimbabwe's membership", hinting that there was a possibility that they could be expelled as a Full Member. He told the BBC that he had endorsed Cricket South Africa's decision, adding: "I have written to Zimbabwe saying their future in international cricket will be put on the agenda and this issue will be discussed at our meeting next week." "He [Mali] believes there is a danger that supporters of one political party will not be allowed to play or support cricket," Morgan added. The ICC has previously shown little inclination to make any strong statements on Zimbabwe, but recent events are likely to force their hand especially as South Africa have been long-time supporters of Zimbabwe. An ICC insider told Cricinfo: "As every day passes, Zimbabwe's status looks less and less tenable." Zimbabwe have been placed in group A of the ICC World Twenty20 but their participation in the event is in increasing doubt. If they have to be replaced a third Associate nation will be added to the tournament. Britain's prime minister Gordon Brown has been vocal in his condemnation of the violence in Zimbabwe, and stated yesterday that Robert Mugabe's regime 'should not be recognised by anyone'. "Under the current circumstances it is the government's view that the tour would clearly be unwelcome," a spokesman for the prime minister told the Press Association. "We would also have serious concerns about Zimbabwe participating in the Twenty20 World Cup.'' ************************************************************************************** i am totally against the Sport governing bodies getting into the politics ...if individual countries are adopting some policies..in accordance with their government's policies...even then ICC as a governing body must be neutral... Olympic Organisation committee did not ban China from organising Olympics this year even after whats been happening in Tibet..There is United Nations to take care of these things... ICC must keep itself away from these matters..and stay neutral.

[theguyinallblue]

Do the right thing The ICC can undo years of indifference by suspending Zimbabwe from Full Member status The cricket world has been presented with the opportunity to make up for years of indifference to a festering problem and it must do the right thing by stripping Zimbabwe of its Full Member status in the ICC. The push for such a move has come from the most unlikely quarter - the South African board, which has been among the Zimbabwe Cricket's strongest backers - and it's time the rest seized the moment. It is, at this point, open to conjecture what led to the turnaround in the South African camp. Ray Mali, the outgoing ICC president and a known Zimbabwe Cricket sympathiser, has been unequivocal about severing South Africa's bilateral agreement with Zimbabwe, and England has been swift in calling off Zimbabwe's proposed tour in 2009. Now it is up to the ICC executive to do the obvious. It will not be a punishment; it will be doing Zimbabwe cricket a favour. There are good reasons to keep sport and politics apart. Indeed, sport must triumph over politics. And where should the line be drawn? If an example were to be made of Zimbabwe, which has been driven to destitution and lawlessness by a dictatorial regime that refuses to honour electoral verdicts, what of China's role in suppressing democracy, or indeed that of the US and the allies in Iraq? The point, however, is this: sport and politics have hardly stayed apart in Zimbabwe. On the contrary, politics has invaded every aspect of cricket in Zimbabwe and has driven a significant number of talented players away from the game - and, indeed, away from the country. Racism is not a word to be used lightly but it is hardly a secret that there are almost no whites or Asians left in the game in Zimbabwe. Not that black cricketers who confronted the system have been spared. The courageous Henry Olonga now lives in exile, and the spirited Tatenda Taibu was once forced to flee the country. But if the ICC still chooses to ignore the political situation in Zimbabwe - it ought not to - there are strong sporting reasons for it to act. On the basis of their current strength, Zimbabwe are simply not worthy of being a Full Member of the ICC. They haven't played a Test since September 2005, and their one-day team merely makes up the numbers at ICC tournaments. They even play less than the leading Associates now. Bilateral series have become rare - and not because Zimbabwe is an unsafe place to tour. The Indian board cancelled a tour for the apparent reason that playing Zimbabwe makes little commercial sense. The BCCI hardly needs Zimbabwe's vote to bolster its position at the ICC - its pre-eminence is now secure through its riches. Cricket needs a consensus on Zimbabwe, and true leaders think beyond themselves. It's time for India to lead a worthy cause rather than being an obstacle The reason their Test status was suspended now holds true for the shorter versions too: Zimbabwe aren't good enough to be part of the top tier. Why then must they enjoy the privileges - a seat on the executive committee, automatic entry to the World Cup, and a big share of the ICC's revenues - granted to Full Members? Last year, which featured the World Cup, Zimbabwe's earnings from the ICC were US$11 million. It would be money well distributed if there was evidence it was wisely spent. In fact, the signs point to the opposite. An international audit firm found serious irregularities in ZC accounts, a fact acknowledged by the ICC, which has nevertheless refused to table the report so far. In comparison, the $500,000 grant to Kenya, an Associate member, is a trifle. Cricket Kenya has a right to feel short-changed. Nothing, however, will be gained from banning Zimbabwe altogether. It will simply lead to the death of cricket in a country that once promised much. And it will condemn the cricketers, who have become mere victims of the system, to a virtual wilderness from where return might prove impossible. What the ICC ought to do instead is to bring Zimbabwe down a notch - from Full Member to the level of an Associate - and then plot its revival. As David Morgan, the ICC president-elect, has said, the role of the Indian board will be crucial. Zimbabwe's political situation doesn't make many headlines in India and the BCCI has been content to back ZC, which in turn is happy to throw its weight behind India at board meetings. But there is a limit to vote-bank cricket politics. In any case, the BCCI hardly needs Zimbabwe's vote to bolster its position at the ICC - its pre-eminence is now secure through its riches. Cricket needs a consensus on Zimbabwe, and true leaders think beyond themselves. It's time for India to lead a worthy cause rather than being the obstacle. Suspending Zimbabwe's Full Member status is not only the reasonable thing to do, it is the obvious thing to do. Suspension need not mean cutting off the lifeline; it can instead mean a new lease of life. The ICC ought to put together a blueprint for the revival of Zimbabwe cricket and earmark a fund to be spent under the ICC's supervision. ZC would need to buy into this plan for it to succeed. But given that the other option is oblivion, the choice is for ZC to make. It is said that the ICC board has some tough decisions to make regarding Zimbabwe next week. If the members are thinking right, the decision is actually fairly simple.

[Gambit]

India is expected to back Zimbabwe.

[Sachinism]

why is the BCCI backing ZC?

[theguyinallblue]

Ultimately ICC decisions are reached by votes... and each vote matters.. its imperative for BCCI to keep the numbers on its side..else no matter how much money BCCI earns...the trio of ECB, CA and NZ will get away with major decisions in their favour.. BCCI can not depend completely on PCB..even though BCCI has always helped and bailed out PCB in the time of need... they are ahsaanfaramosh by nature..its in their blood...

[flamy]

Ultimately ICC decisions are reached by votes... and each vote matters.. its imperative for BCCI to keep the numbers on its side..else no matter how much money BCCI earns...the trio of ECB, CA and NZ will get away with major decisions in their favour.. BCCI can not depend completely on PCB..even though BCCI has always helped and bailed out PCB in the time of need... they are ahsaanfaramosh by nature..its in their blood...

:giggle::giggle::--D:--D:-D

[Lurker]

Now I can safely say I know how an American felt when he saw that infamous poster go up in Middle East that stated - Americans think why the world hates you. The growth of BCCI has come with all the possible irrational decisions ever. All BCCI does is to flaunt its financial muscles and hurt World cricket today. As a result bulk of cricket fraternity dislikes India today. If IPL fiasco wasnt good enough now we have Zimbabwe issue where almost every country, save India, seems to be behind Mugabe. The world, and that includes non cricketing fraternity like USA, are going nuts after Zimbabwe and look at what BCCI does. Not only will this move sour our cricketing but also political relationship with other countries. As for how sports should be kept away from politics that has to be a funny argument considering it was India that was at forefront of getting South Africa banned from World cricket. It was Indian Davis Cup team that twice forfeited finals(once against Israel and South Africa). xxxx

[The Outsider]

^ To be fair it took a very long time for the predominantly white west to snap ties with South Africa so we can't expect the black/brown countries to immediately disown Zimbabwe. Both things are completely wrong but that's how they are. As for BCCI they are in soleley for the vote because a lot of times South Africa and West Indies tend to side with Eng/Aus/NZ. Heck, Dalmiya foisted an undercooked Bangladesh on the cricketing world with one eye on the vote and although one would hope Zimbabwe goes into the Associated Members category, I don't see it happening.