Sean Williams says no to Zimbabwe contract

Sean Williams chats to the media during last month's Under-19 World Cup © ICC

Sean Williams has revealed that he is not signing a contract with Zimbabwe Cricket after getting offers to play in South Africa and England.

Williams, a 19-year-old left hander who captained the Zimbabwe Under-19 side in the recent World Cup, turned down the board's offer last week after meeting with ZC Players Welfare and Technical committee chairman Crispen Pyswarai.

"I am not signing a contract with Zimbabwe Cricket," Williams said. "Let me emphasise that it was my own decision. The moment I walked out of Pyswarai's office I made up my mind not to sign, he mentioned huge figures to me like a ZW$100 million (US$1000) appearance fee, but for how long are the players going to get that money?"

Williams admitted that he did not entirely agree with his father Colin's views on the issue, as he does not want any confrontation with Zimbabwe Cricket, but wants to move on peacefully with his cricket career.

He has not picked up a bat since returning from the World Cup after he developed three boils on his right elbow that have since been lanced.

Williams could have walked into the Zimbabwe team when senior players went on strike in April 2004. However, his father told him to concentrate on his studies, but he subsequently realised that his son's talent was as a cricketer. Williams has since made four ODI appearances for Zimbabwe.