ICC maintains hands-off role in Zimbabwe

Malcolm Speed: 'At the ICC we think basically all internal matters should be dealt by the country concerned' © Getty Images

The ICC has finally broken its silence over the growing crisis inside Zimbabwe, but only to reiterate its position that it has no authority to get involved in what it maintains is a domestic affair.

"We watched what happened in Zimababwe," said Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, while in Pakistan to watch the third and final Test with England. "There is a daily report on the Zimbabwe issue, but the ICC policy, which is made by its member countries and applicable to all, leave the internal matters to the respective country. At the ICC we think basically all internal matters should be dealt by the country concerned."

"I am extremely saddened for the cricketers and people of Zimbabwe," Speed added, and he hinted that the subject would be raised by its members soon. "This issue will come up next when Zimbabwe are to play Test or international cricket. I am sure the board will discuss the matter at its next meeting."

The ICC has been sent a dossier by the country's provincial chairmen outlining their grievances with the leadership of Zimbabwe Cricket, although Cricinfo understands that the ICC has yet to reply, and that document also contains allegations as to the running of ZC.

On Monday, the country's players decided to refuse to play until Peter Chingoka, the ZC chairman, and Ozias Bvute, the MD, resigned. The pair are seen by the players are being responsible for the current mess which is threatening the future of the first-class game in Zimbabwe. The board is also being investigated by the Sports and Recreation Commission, and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is also carrying out its own inquiries into unspecified financial irregularities.