Spotlight back on Zimbabwe
A report in The Sunday Telegraph highlights a change of approach from the UK government which makes it less likely that any England side will play Zimbabwe while Robert Mugabe remains in power.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
A report in The Sunday Telegraph highlights a change of approach from the UK government which makes it less likely that any England side will play Zimbabwe while Robert Mugabe remains in power.
While the Blair government was all too willing to talk, it refused to take any action and left the onus on the England board. Under Gordon Brown, it seems words might be backed by actions.
Amid suggestions of a hardening of attitudes since Gordon Brown took over, the government are looking again at legal options.
Should the Government decide on a blanket ban on all sporting links with Zimbabwe, it is possible the effects might be felt beyond cricket. Such a move might raise questions, for example, over Zimbabwean participation in the 2012 London Olympics.
Martin Williamson is executive editor of ESPNcricinfo and managing editor of ESPN Digital Media in Europe, the Middle East and Africa