Mashonaland's board kicked out

The threat of a vote of no confidence in Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) which was widely expected at the special meeting of the Mashonaland Cricket Association never materialised - mainly because of internal discontent which led to the resignation of the entire MCA board.

The meeting, attended by 60 or so members, was a heated affair, and the anger with the board's behaviour soon became clear. Stephen Mangongo, the former head of national selectors, proposed a vote of no confidence in the MCA board. Such was the overwhelming feeling of the floor that a vote was never taken - the board resigned on the spot.

Of the eight board members, only Crispen Mandenge, the new chairman, Elvis Sembezeya and Claudius Mukandiwa survived. They were joined by Lance Malloch-Brown, the former Mashonaland wicketkeeper, Jeremiah Matibiri, Rory Mcwade, Clarence Musamba and Mike Temhiwa.

Tavengwa Mukuhlani, the outgoing chairman, automatically lost his post on Zimbabwe Cricket's board as he was only there in his capacity as Mashonaland's chairman.

Sembezeya said the new MCA board is expected to carry the mandate of the clubs who elected them into power. "The previous board had people who did not represent any clubs, people like Mukuhlani, just sold themselves to the clubs, they promised to secure sponsorship for the small clubs and that is how they were voted into power. But they have done nothing ... all they do is oppress the same clubs who voted them in."

One eyewitness said it was now a question of wait-and-see regarding the new board's approach to Zimbabwe Cricket. "But the mood suggested that those present wanted a committee that would take a tougher line with ZC," he added.