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The Independent has several articles on the state of cricket in Zimbabwe at the moment, and they're not happy. In particular, the motives of those currently running the game come in for heavy criticism, but the attitudes of the players don't escape some scathing comments either.

On the people running the game:

"There are too many questions to be asked, but one answer applies to them all: the game is under siege from power-hungry narcissists who clearly are bent on accomplishing their bigoted and selfish agendas under the guise of safeguarding the future of cricket. These people, whose machinations seem to be achieving their parochial ambitions, are cowards indeed. If their real agenda is anything to safeguard the future of Zimbabwe's cricket, why haven't these politicians used various official platforms to register their discontent with certain policies? The irony of it is that most of these guys may have played a part in the decisions that they now find irregular. It's the politics of convenience!"

On the players, and Phil Simmons:

"It's their democratic right to say who they want to coach them as much as they have the right to say how much money they think they deserve for their service to the national team. But it would be very unfortunate if the players don't realise the manipulative forces goading them into insurgence. We still believe Simmons would have been a better coach were he not fond of hobnobbing with players at nightspots, which no doubt compromised his grip on the discipline and commitment of the cricketers."

On the recent series against Kenya:

"The question arising out of the latest defeat is whether our team is now such a package of nerves that even winning against Kenya has become an enormous task. Something has to be done before this losing culture becomes part and parcel of the cricket sides from this country."

For all their obvious indignation, there are a number of good points raised in the articles. The question is whether anyone in a position to do anything is listening.
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