Blignaut remains at loggerheads with board

Andy Blignaut: no pay, no play © Getty Images

Reports that Andy Blignaut, who has been touted as the likely choice as Zimbabwe's new captain, was not willing to play unless the board paid him the money owed from last year were confirmed by the player himself.

Bliganut, who is in South Africa playing for the Highfeld Lions, was summoned home by Kevin Curran, Zimbabwe's coach, to prepare for the ODi series against Kenya. "I told them I will not have anything to do with them until I am paid six months' salary and match fees for two Tests and also for one-day internationals against India and New Zealand six months ago," Blignaut said. "I have already made this crystal clear to them."

Those comments come hours after a Zimbabwe Cricket spokesman confirmed to Cricinfo that Blignaut had signed a new contract with the board and would be available to play in the matches.

A number of separate sources had indicated to Cricinfo that Blignaut was not willing to play until these issues were resolved and, furthermore, that he was angry that the board had indicated in press releases that he was back in the fold.