The omens remain grim inside Zimbabwe
We round up what has happened inside Zimbabwe since the government's decision to effectively take charge of Zimbabwe Cricket
Cricinfo staff
17-Jan-2006
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Saturday, January 7
Zimbabwe's striking players meet to discuss the move by the government and decide to return to work in a bid to resolve their differences with the board. They give the new board until the end of the month to pay money owed to them and to agree to new contracts.
Zimbabwe's striking players meet to discuss the move by the government and decide to return to work in a bid to resolve their differences with the board. They give the new board until the end of the month to pay money owed to them and to agree to new contracts.
Sunday, January 8
It is reported that Andy Blignaut, who a month ago was being touted as a possible candidate to replace Tatenda Taibu as Zimbabwe captain, has returned to play in South Africa and will not be available for Zimbabwe again.
It is reported that Andy Blignaut, who a month ago was being touted as a possible candidate to replace Tatenda Taibu as Zimbabwe captain, has returned to play in South Africa and will not be available for Zimbabwe again.
Monday, January 9
A source close to the crisis tells Cricinfo: "I think the ICC ought to take stern measures against the extreme level of racism in Zimbabwe. Clearly, they can't just ignore the racial cleansing of the Zimbabwe board by Zanu PF." The ICC issues a statement warning Zimbabwe that they have to field their best side and warns that the appointment of the new board is not the solution. But it again stops short of taking any action. The former ZC chairman, tells the Daily Telegraph: "They [the players] have gone back on their word that they would not serve under Chingoka. They have left Taibu in the lurch."
A source close to the crisis tells Cricinfo: "I think the ICC ought to take stern measures against the extreme level of racism in Zimbabwe. Clearly, they can't just ignore the racial cleansing of the Zimbabwe board by Zanu PF." The ICC issues a statement warning Zimbabwe that they have to field their best side and warns that the appointment of the new board is not the solution. But it again stops short of taking any action. The former ZC chairman, tells the Daily Telegraph: "They [the players] have gone back on their word that they would not serve under Chingoka. They have left Taibu in the lurch."
Tuesday, January 10
One player tells a Cricinfo source that there is "no way many of us will play for Zanu PF". Divides begin to appear among the players in the light of reported criticism of their decision, with some clearly unhappy with returning to play under the new regime. Some hint that they will only actually resume playing when they are paid, others that they are on the verge of retiring.
One player tells a Cricinfo source that there is "no way many of us will play for Zanu PF". Divides begin to appear among the players in the light of reported criticism of their decision, with some clearly unhappy with returning to play under the new regime. Some hint that they will only actually resume playing when they are paid, others that they are on the verge of retiring.
Wednesday, January 11
Sources state that Charlie Roberston, Zimbabwe's most experienced administrator and a man who has done more than almost anyone to keep Zimbabwe cricket running smoothly, will stop cutting grass at Chegutu and Gweru grounds - he has maintained them both for years. Other club officials are said to be considering similar action. And it emerges that the grass at Queens Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club has not been cut for months and "the two pitches resemble a bush." The Queens Sports Club is the country's No. 2 venue.
Sources state that Charlie Roberston, Zimbabwe's most experienced administrator and a man who has done more than almost anyone to keep Zimbabwe cricket running smoothly, will stop cutting grass at Chegutu and Gweru grounds - he has maintained them both for years. Other club officials are said to be considering similar action. And it emerges that the grass at Queens Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club has not been cut for months and "the two pitches resemble a bush." The Queens Sports Club is the country's No. 2 venue.
Thursday, January 12
News emerges that Zimbabwe Cricket Matatebaland offices at Queens Sports Club have had their phone lines cut off due to failure to pay the bills. The main Zimbabwe Cricket offices in Harare remain closed as officially staff are on their Christmas break until January 16.
News emerges that Zimbabwe Cricket Matatebaland offices at Queens Sports Club have had their phone lines cut off due to failure to pay the bills. The main Zimbabwe Cricket offices in Harare remain closed as officially staff are on their Christmas break until January 16.
Friday, January 13
Peter Chingoka meets with Malcolm Speed and Ehsan Mani to discuss the Zimbabwe crisis as the ICC Full Members get together in Karachi. The conversation remains private, but the ICC does issue a statement repeating the assertion that no-one should see the appointment of the interim board as the solution. The ICC has no response to questions on the meeting put to it by Cricinfo.
Peter Chingoka meets with Malcolm Speed and Ehsan Mani to discuss the Zimbabwe crisis as the ICC Full Members get together in Karachi. The conversation remains private, but the ICC does issue a statement repeating the assertion that no-one should see the appointment of the interim board as the solution. The ICC has no response to questions on the meeting put to it by Cricinfo.
Saturday, January 14
A report in The Independent suggests that the players who are supposed to have ended their strike do not intend to play again. "There is no way players will ever play afterwards under this set-up," said a source. "They just want their money. Whether ZC will pay or not, they have already made up their minds. The guys don't feel for a second that the dispute would have been resolved by then, but the feeling is that this is a better way of keeping the pressure on than just walking away."
A report in The Independent suggests that the players who are supposed to have ended their strike do not intend to play again. "There is no way players will ever play afterwards under this set-up," said a source. "They just want their money. Whether ZC will pay or not, they have already made up their minds. The guys don't feel for a second that the dispute would have been resolved by then, but the feeling is that this is a better way of keeping the pressure on than just walking away."