Letters

What a wonderful article written by Mr Campbell about the Pakistani team in Zimbabwe. He has proved himself to be a worthy and honorable opponent by being so magnanimous - a feature totally lost by professional sportsmen in the modern era. In a sport often beset by sledging, racial malice and political overtones, it was so refreshing to read Mr Campbell's views on the Pakistani cricketers - presenting them as they really are, a talented bunch who enjoy being friends with the opponents and not thinking that winning is everything.

Please convey my sincere congratulations to Mr Campbell - he has my vote as the Cricketer Spokesman for the World Cup, 2003.

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DIE ANOTHER DAY

Five years ago the prophecy made by Mr Mugabe, that "Sport can go a long way to forging unity in this nation" did not have to wait long for its fulfillment. Seven days after his interview it came true at HSC as his country's cricketers whitewashed England, once Zim's imperial masters.

That humiliating series where `Zim murdered Eng' is still afresh in the minds of Englishmen. So when Michael Ancram and Harold Best cried out loud over England's participation in the World Cup match in Harare, it was understandably a case of a foolish political move.

When Gladstone Small joined them it was a case of a forgettable cricketer desperately seeking for attention. But I was completely shaken by David Gower's comments. How can a legend like him drag dirty politics into sports? He should take out a leaf out of Mr Mugabe's diary - "Cricket? It civilizes people and creates good gentlemen. I want everyone to play cricket in Zimbabwe. I want ours to be a nation of gentlemen."

I'm pretty sure on 13 February cricket would take the field on Harare Sports Club and not politics. Cricket will die another day, politics has to wait.

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MY WORLD CUP PROBABLES

The areas which I would like to stress regarding the World Cup are -

1) Bowling - all depends on skipper Streak.

2) Openers - Campbell should open but with whom? Vermeulen is too inexperienced so why not try with Whittall, Marillier or our `Johnson of 2003', Blignaut.

3) Old warriors Wishart and Evans MUST play. Both have played more than 50 LOIs and won the Man of the Match in the past.

4) Rain - the biggest threat looming over Zimbabwe's way to the Super Six. I'm surprised nobody is talking about the rainy season of February-March. That is why Friend or Blignaut must bat at no 3, just to stay ahead on the D/L method. Also we need tight overs in the middle so Grant, Marillier and Brent have a big role to play. We'll definitely miss Pommie here.

So my 11 is - Alistair Campbell, Guy Whittall, Andy Blignaut, Andy Flower, Craig Wishart, Grant Flower, Heath Streak, Tatenda Taibu, Travis Friend, Doug Marillier, Henry Olonga. The rest - Craig Evans, Douglas Hondo, Gary Brent, Mark Vermeulen.

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POLITICS AND SPORT

Writing with regard to the pressure being brought by certain governments (i.e., the Australian and British governments), regarding the World Cup Fixtures to be played in Zimbabwe next year. It is my understanding that Prime Minister Howard has made the correct statement that it is not the place of the Australian government, or indeed any government, to decide whether teams should play or not. He then went on to give his personal convictions on the matter, which, while valid, was probably not the best of things to say in his role as the head of parliament in this country.

The crux of the matter is that politicians are mixing politics with sport. Surveys show that a hard line on the Zimbabwean government is winning votes for Mr Howard, so any opportunity to slam the country is being used by him. While I agree with his sentiments regarding the current Zimbabwe regime, I still think it is bad form to mix sport and politics.

Look at the South African boycott, a disaster if ever there was one. While I can't see rebel tours of Zimbabwe ever happening, the South African boycott was so ramshackle and piecemeal that it did nothing. A similar imposition upon Zimbabwe would probably be just as unsuccessful. In addition, it would have the effect of hurting cricket in Zimbabwe, something which I don't think is a good thing. I think that sport is a great way for countries to put aside their differences and have a fair competition in the name of excellence. That is what cricket and the World Cup should be about, not Mr Howard's short-term political gains.

Not all Australians think that Zimbabwe is a violent hellhole. I look forward to seeing the games played in Zimbabwe next year, and hope that the ACB will retain its bottle and send our players there. After all, if we don't play Zimbabwe, how will we know that our teams is better? :-p

On another note, I'd like to congratulate you on the newsletter. While I'm an ardent supporter of Queensland and Australia, I do like to read about what is happening in the world of cricket, particularly out in countries not traditionally thought of as cricketing nations. Zimbabwe, Kenya, Bangladesh and Holland are the future of cricket, and we should do everything we can to support these fledgling cricket nations.