Goodwin comments may be in breach of contract

Murray Goodwin's comments about selection policies in his native Zimbabwe may result in his facing disciplinary action in his adopted country of Australia, and in Western Australia, his state team. Goodwin claimed that some players were included in the Zimbabwe team on the basis of colour and not on performance.

Zimbabwe's coach Geoff Marsh insisted that the side which starts its first Test on Australian soil today in Perth was picked on merit. He said he was a selector and all 16 deserved their places in the side.

And Australia's captain Steve Waugh has already said that he imagined Goodwin's remarks would have galvanised the Zimbabweans before the Test. However, Heath Streak has said he didn't think it would be a factor, as there were other motivating aspects for the side.

Goodwin, who played 19 Tests for Zimbabwe before retiring in 20000 and returning to Australia, is bound by his Western Australia Cricket Association contract, which prevents him making comments that bring the game into disrepute. Zimbabwe's vice-captain Tatenda Taibu, who is black, disputed the claims and said he felt he didn't have to prove anything about his selection as he was in the side because he was good enough.