Government takes over cricket

By Tichaona Sibanda
08 January 2006

The government has taken control of cricket in the country and has appointed an interim board chaired by Peter Chingoka, the figure at the centre of the current crisis in the sport.

The new set up was announced by retired Brigadier Gibson Mashingaidze, chairman of the Sports Commission, in Harare on Friday.

According to BBC Sport, Mashingaidze, whose actions are likely to attract the attention of the International Cricket Council, said they were prepared to be chucked out of Test status.

‘The government is saying we are starting afresh. We are not bothered. Those who want to stay in can stay, but those who want to go are free to go. They can go to India, Canada or wherever. We are not bothered. The government will not be held to ransom by individuals.’

The ICC could not confirm late on Friday whether it had received any communication from Zimbabwe Cricket on the changes and would not comment without hearing more.

The subject is likely to be debated at a meeting of the 10 Test-playing nations in Karachi next week. Zimbabwe’s next matches are on a tour of the West Indies, scheduled for May.

Leading players, already on strike in a pay row, could now desert the sport. Clive Field, spokesman for players, said it is unbelieveable that the man credited with bringing down the sport is being reappointed to further ruin the sport.

On the players welfare Clive added; ‘It would be economic suicide for them to be playing for a country that does not have Test status.’