Cricket is collapsing fast in Zimbabwe, claims Field

Clive Field, the representative of the sacked Zimbabwe rebel players, has reacted angrily to claims that the Zimbabwe Cricket Union is doing a good job in promoting the game in the country.

In a letter to the government-controlled Herald newspaper, Field was responding to an earlier article which argued that the ZCU should be praised for their efforts.

"[The writer's opinion] is based on the fact he has seen cricket stumps standing alongside goalposts in Harare, and has watched kids playing cricket with a makeshift bat and ball in Highfield," Field wrote. "With respect, if this constitutes evidence of progress in developing cricket at grass-roots level, then we have a long way to go. And what does this have to do with the ZCU anyway? Kids using a plastic tray to play cricket is surely not a feather in the ZCU's cap, if anything it is a sad indictment of the Union's failure.

"Many of the Zimbabweans I have spoken to involved in the administration of cricket vehemently maintain the ZCU are not doing enough to direct the considerable funds they have at their disposal into the right areas.

"Overseas travel by members of the ZCU board to Australia appears to rank far higher on their priority list than paying for much-needed cricket equipment. I attended the AGM of a leading Harare club on Tuesday night and the message I got was clear: cricket is collapsing fast in Zimbabwe at school, club, provincial and national level. The ZCU presides over this collapse."

Field went on to accuse the ZCU of being at fault for its handling of the player dispute. "It must shoulder at least half of any blame for failing to resolve this dispute. Since it began, many opportunities have been given, but none have been taken."

He was angered by suggestions in the newspaper that the rebels had taken their action in support of attempts to cause England's forthcoming tour to be scrapped. "It demonstrates both an unhealthy over-preoccupation with Britain, and also suggests these players were prepared to be used as pawns sacrificing their careers and jobs for political considerations."

And he was equally incensed at suggestions that the players had been bought out of Zimbabwe cricket by overseas financiers who were trying to sabotage Zimbabwe cricket. "This is offensive," he stated, pointing out that only four of the sacked players are in the UK, and - with the probable exception of Heath Streak - will earn less playing club cricket than they would had they remained as centrally contracted players. "The rest are currently unemployed, although two have secured temporary jobs. Not only has this dispute cost them their jobs but it has cost them legal fees. They have also been prejudiced by loss of income, as a result of not earning match fees for the Australian and Sri Lankan series. Gratuities which were due from the ZCU have not been paid. If lucrative offers are being made to them, this is certainly news to me."

Field concluded by dismissing the accusations as no more than the continuing "peddling of a species of opinion which I have heard before, along the lines of some sinister and invisible white force meeting in clandestine forums like Royal Harare Golf Club to bring about the end of Zimbabwean cricket.

"These types of opinions are smokescreens which will appeal to the lesser informed and to seek to deflect attention away from the facts. There is no ulterior motive on the part of the players. Their position is clear and has been made known. Politicising this dispute simply detracts from the merits.

"The only point on which I can agree with is that cricket has overtaken rugby and athletics as the second most popular sport in Zimbabwe. But that has less to do with any good work on the part of the ZCU than the fact both rugby and athletics have followed hockey down the road to the intensive-care unit, as a result of maladministration and political interference. Cricket will surely follow them, and soon only football will be left."