zimcricketnews.com

In something of an about-face, ICC President Ray Mali has told CricInfo that discussion of Zimbabwe's future at this week's ICC board meeting will focus on playing standards and not on the political situation - something of a contradiction to his earlier comments that the issue was on the agenda because of the "worsening situation within the country". Action based on playing standards is seen as more likely to get the support of the Asian bloc, with the BCCI indicating that they would be prepared to reach and "understanding" on that basis.

Meanwhile, former South Africa and Zimbabwe Test player John Traicos has called on the ICC not to punish Zimbabwean cricket for the since of Robert Mugabe, and to restrict themselves to considering issues that are within ZC's direct responsibility. He points out that many people involved with cricket in Zimbabwe were likely to have voted against him in the recent elections, which is all that can be expected of them:

Even if you adopted a strictly political view and identified Robert Mugabe and his ruling party with Zimbabwe Cricket, it would be difficult to sustain that argument against the strong likelihood that most cricketers and cricket followers would have voted against Robert Mugabe's government in the recent elections, which in fact should have resulted in a defeat for Mugabe had it not been for the recent internal violence. To remove the Zimbabwe government or even change the patron of Zimbabwe Cricket under the current circumstances is clearly a difficult or impossible task for anyone.

There may be other good reasons to consider censuring Zimbabwe, or even applying a temporary ban, such as improper handling of finances, inadequate cricket development policies, or breaches of ICC regulations. If such reasons do exist then appropriate action can be taken to rectify that conduct.

Meanwhile, the ECB is reported to have offered Sri Lanka and Pakistan the opportunity to tour England next year, as replacements for the cancelled Zimbabwe tour, in exchange for their support in any vote to suspend Zim. The hope is that the money that such a tour could bring them would be enough to persuade them to vote against India and Pakistan.

Current speculation is that a compromise deal could be struck that would see Zimbabwe "voluntarily" suspend itself from full internationals (including the World Twenty20) but maintain its Full Member status and right to play 'A'-team matches, but ZC chairman Peter Chingoka has indicated that he's in no mood for any such compromise:

"In terms of our constitution and terms of agreement with the ICC, no-one can point to us any breach that we have committed. We are standing firm on our original position and we will be very clear on that, going into the meeting.

"No playing right will be suspended and we go into the meeting standing on that principle. We are an independent sports body and entitled to our rights. No issues outside cricket will make us review our position as an ICC full member and we are actually saying there is no basis to have the issue discussed and effectively there is no basis for compromise.

"You cannot compromise on something that should not have been up for discussion."

All in all, it's lining up to be an interesting few days...
Cricinfo - Issue is cricket, not politics - Mali | Don't punish cricket for Mugabe's sins
Cricket365 - Sub-Continent Nations Key For Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe Cricket Won`t Budge