Zimbabwe Cricket hit all-time low

By Tichaona Sibanda
11th August 2005

Cricket in Zimbabwe is at an all-time low following a humiliating opening home test match by those supposed international minnows, New Zealand. Problems off the field have eventually caught up with the players and the way the sport is being administered has begun to have an effect on the players' strength.

Cricket analyst Elvis Sembezeya speaking from Harare on Thursday was quick to direct all the blame towards Zimbabwe Cricket President Peter Chingoka and his executive.

'Nobody is taking stock of what is happening in cricket today. It's just an organisation wondering around without any sense of direction,' said Sembezeya who fell out with the current administration early this year when he questioned their failure to run the game properly.

Sembezeya, who has now become the strongest critic, feels the top men of the administration have become interested in fattening their pockets at the expense of steering the sport to greater heights.

He added; 'how else can you explain the team's outrageous performance during the opening match at Harare Sports Club last week?'

Captain Tatenda Taibu's side were bowled out twice in one day. In the first innings they were out for 54. New Zealand finished them off in the second innings, dismissing Zimbabwe for a meagre 99 runs.

'To say Zimbabwe lost a Test match in one day is a gross exaggeration. They lost in six hours. Period.' pointed out Sembezeya.

They were outclassed in every department by the Kiwis and now face a mauling in the state controlled media, once their greatest defenders during ZC's darkest hour.

Writing in the Herald following the defeat, the paper's chief cricket correspondent Lawrence Moyo was not far from the truth when he remarked; 'If what was on display at Harare sports club yesterday is to be reviewed at the highest level then Zimbabwe should not be playing Test matches in the interests of the world's Test match standards.'

No one can say it better Lawrence. A new coach, new captain, new players--nothing has made a difference! Time for change?