Clive Field stands down as players' representative

Clive Field, who has represented Zimbabwe's professional cricketers throughout their long dispute with Zimbabwe Cricket, has stepped down two days after the players signed new contracts with the board.

In a letter to Blessing Mahwire, the informal spokesman for the players, Field explained that the strain on his family and professional life, as well as the financial burden of the role, meant that he no longer wished to continue. He told Mahwire that: "I have achieved my personal milestone which was always to see Zimbabwe's national players achieve a fair financial deal from the ZC which will keep you in the game and allow you to continue your careers as professional cricketers." He informed the players personally yesterday.

Field has been a staunch advocate on behalf of a very young and inexperienced group, so much so that last week Zimbabwe Cricket said that it no longer recognised his role. The board was forced to back down after the players supported Field, and when it became clear that its move had attracted the attention of international players' bodies.

His departure will not be unwelcomed inside Zimbabwe Cricket, but it leaves the Zimbabwe Professional Cricketers' Association without a leader or any natural successor to Field. In normal circumstances it would be expected that a former player would fill the void, but most of those have either left the country or are disenchanted with the game. One insider indicated that it leaves the players very much at the mercy of the board.