Players selected on basis of colour in Zimbabwe: Goodwin

The issue of racial discrimination in Zimbabwean cricket has cropped up again, with Murray Goodwin alleging that black cricketers were getting a free ride into the team. Goodwin, who last played for Zimbabwe three years ago before quitting due to pay disputes with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, said: "It sounds really racist but in actual fact it's the truth and that's a sad state of affairs because these guys don't have to perform as well as the European guys to get a game.

"You've got guys getting promoted because of performance and other guys getting promoted because of their colour. It's hard because when you're playing in a team and you've got these guys getting a free ride - it's not their fault at all - the selection [policy] is a bit of an issue. Everyone's trying to play in a team and you can't begrudge that ... but you're just wary of how they select you and on what grounds."

Meanwhile, Geoff Marsh, the Zimbabwean coach, has told his players to forget about the political implications of their tour to Australia. Marsh believes that the politics of the Zimbabwean situation has the potential to distract his side at a time when they need to be completely focussed on the cricket. "When the political situation gets involved in the game of cricket in Zimbabwe I try to take it out."

Adam Gilchrist agreed with that approach. Writing a column for Fairfax papers, Gilchrist supported Australia's decision to play against Zimbabwe in the 2003 World Cup, stating that the decision stood vindicated within ten minutes of their arrival in Bulawayo, when a local woman gave him a hug and said: "Thank you so much for coming, for giving us a ray of brightness in these difficult times."

He strengthened his argument further by talking about the lack of protest over Zimbabwe's tour to Australia. "Surely if the reasons for not playing are moral ones, why would the same rules not apply when the Zimbabweans are here? Either people have short memories, or perhaps we are realising that participating in sporting events doesn't mean that we are either supporting or disregarding the policies and regimes of the government of the country we are playing. Although we are well aware of the tragic heartache that has been caused and the issues that remain unresolved, we are simply sportsmen proudly representing our country."