Zimbabwe opt out of Speed confrontation

Malcolm Speed arriving at Harare yesterday © Getty Images Enlarge

The ICC finally became involved in the current crisis in Zimbabwe, but Malcolm Speed, their chief executive, now must have wished he hadn't have bothered. After flying to Harare in a last-bid attempt to sort matters out ahead of the first Test against Australia on Saturday, the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) cancelled their proposed meeting with him.

Speed had given the ZCU 24 hours to resolve the situation with the group of rebel players, and to assemble a competitive side to play the Australians, but he was forced to return to London with little to show for it.

An ICC official said Speed did have the chance to talk face to face with Peter Chingoka, the ZCU chairman, and Vince Hogg, the managing director, while he was there, but confirmed that his proposed talk to the board was called off late in the day.

Speed did, however, have the chance to meet up with the rebel players, and their lawyer, Chris Venturas, who told the BBC that Speed "listened to our grievances, and he's going back to London to report to the ICC." He added, "We're just glad we had a chance to say our piece."

At the moment, the series against Australia is going ahead, but with Speed refusing to rule out that it may be cancelled if Zimbabwe don't produce a credible first XI, that may yet change.