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The Australian "Will-They-Won't-They" Saga

Fri, 11/05/2007 - 05:15 — admin

I haven't been covering Australia's angst over touring Zimbabwe, as it's all very predictable - especially if you followed England's to'ing and fro'ing ahead of their visit a few years ago. The basic situation is this: the Australian government doesn't want the tour to go ahead; the ICC have reminded Cricket Australia that they'll face a US$2m fine if they don't tour; the Australian Government has offered to pay any fine on Cricket Australia's behalf; but CA have said that, barring security issues, the tour will go ahead.

On the sidelines, former Zim player Henry Olonga has called for the tour to be scrapped; Vusi Sibanda wants it to go ahead; and former Zim coach Geoff Marsh has rightly pointed out that any boycott's unlikely to make any difference to the situation in Zim. The saga rumbles on.

UPDATE: The Zimbabwe Independent sums up my own feelings on this perfectly:

Whatever propaganda Mugabe will spin should Ricky Ponting and his men come, the world already knows the truth and the lies will only be as good as that — lies. We hope Australia will make a sporting decision instead of a political one. Zimbabwe’s young and inexperienced cricketers need Australia more than Mugabe does. The young players have a future and Mugabe doesn’t have.

Zimbabwe Independent - Ask the Pommies, Mugabe cares not

Comments

Sat, 12/05/2007 - 01:30 — Nakeel (not verified)

Its time political disagreements be kept away from sports I do hope Australia will go to Zim and play because the players need the exposure and to be treated like other test nations but not to be discriminated because of their government.

As for Henry Olonga please let him be satisfied where he is thats what he chose. His views will never change anything. Was he happy Zim bowed out that early while he would have played for his beloved country.