Opinion | Sambit Bal >> Do the right thing The ICC can undo years of indifference by suspending Zimbabwe from Full Member status June 25, 2008 The reason their Test status was suspended now holds true for the shorter versions too: Zimbabwe aren't good enough to be part of the top tier © AFP   The cricket world has been presented with the opportunity to make up for years of indifference to a festering problem and it must do the right thing by stripping Zimbabwe of its Full Member status in the ICC. The push for such a move has come from the most unlikely quarter - the South African board, which has been among the Zimbabwe Cricket's strongest backers - and it's time the rest seized the moment. It is, at this point, open to conjecture what led to the turnaround in the South African camp. Ray Mali, the outgoing ICC president and a known Zimbabwe Cricket sympathiser, has been unequivocal about severing South Africa's bilateral agreement with Zimbabwe, and England has been swift in calling off Zimbabwe's proposed tour in 2009. Now it is up to the ICC executive to do the obvious. It will not be a punishment; it will be doing Zimbabwe cricket a favour. There are good reasons to keep sport and politics apart. Indeed, sport must triumph over politics. And where should the line be drawn? If an example were to be made of Zimbabwe, which has been driven to destitution and lawlessness by a dictatorial regime that refuses to honour electoral verdicts, what of China's role in suppressing democracy, or indeed that of the US and the allies in Iraq? The point, however, is this: sport and politics have hardly stayed apart in Zimbabwe. On the contrary, politics has invaded every aspect of cricket in Zimbabwe and has driven a significant number of talented players away from the game - and, indeed, away from the country. Racism is not a word to be used lightly but it is hardly a secret that there are almost no whites or Asians left in the game in Zimbabwe. Not that black cricketers who confronted the system have been spared. The courageous Henry Olonga now lives in exile, and the spirited Tatenda Taibu was once forced to flee the country. But if the ICC still chooses to ignore the political situation in Zimbabwe - it ought not to - there are strong sporting reasons for it to act. On the basis of their current strength, Zimbabwe are simply not worthy of being a Full Member of the ICC. They haven't played a Test since September 2005, and their one-day team merely makes up the numbers at ICC tournaments. They even play less than the leading Associates now. Bilateral series have become rare - and not because Zimbabwe is an unsafe place to tour. The Indian board cancelled a tour for the apparent reason that playing Zimbabwe makes little commercial sense.     The BCCI hardly needs Zimbabwe's vote to bolster its position at the ICC - its pre-eminence is now secure through its riches. Cricket needs a consensus on Zimbabwe, and true leaders think beyond themselves. It's time for India to lead a worthy cause rather than being an obstacle   The reason their Test status was suspended now holds true for the shorter versions too: Zimbabwe aren't good enough to be part of the top tier. Why then must they enjoy the privileges - a seat on the executive committee, automatic entry to the World Cup, and a big share of the ICC's revenues - granted to Full Members? Last year, which featured the World Cup, Zimbabwe's earnings from the ICC were US$11 million. It would be money well distributed if there was evidence it was wisely spent. In fact, the signs point to the opposite. An international audit firm found serious irregularities in ZC accounts, a fact acknowledged by the ICC, which has nevertheless refused to table the report so far. In comparison, the $500,000 grant to Kenya, an Associate member, is a trifle. Cricket Kenya has a right to feel short-changed. Nothing, however, will be gained from banning Zimbabwe altogether. It will simply lead to the death of cricket in a country that once promised much. And it will condemn the cricketers, who have become mere victims of the system, to a virtual wilderness from where return might prove impossible. What the ICC ought to do instead is to bring Zimbabwe down a notch - from Full Member to the level of an Associate - and then plot its revival. As David Morgan, the ICC president-elect, has said, the role of the Indian board will be crucial. Zimbabwe's political situation doesn't make many headlines in India and the BCCI has been content to back ZC, which in turn is happy to throw its weight behind India at board meetings. But there is a limit to vote-bank cricket politics. In any case, the BCCI hardly needs Zimbabwe's vote to bolster its position at the ICC - its pre-eminence is now secure through its riches. Cricket needs a consensus on Zimbabwe, and true leaders think beyond themselves. It's time for India to lead a worthy cause rather than being the obstacle. Suspending Zimbabwe's Full Member status is not only the reasonable thing to do, it is the obvious thing to do. Suspension need not mean cutting off the lifeline; it can instead mean a new lease of life. The ICC ought to put together a blueprint for the revival of Zimbabwe cricket and earmark a fund to be spent under the ICC's supervision. ZC would need to buy into this plan for it to succeed. But given that the other option is oblivion, the choice is for ZC to make. It is said that the ICC board has some tough decisions to make regarding Zimbabwe next week. If the members are thinking right, the decision is actually fairly simple. Sambit Bal is the editor of Cricinfo © Cricinfo

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Posted by offspin79 on June 28 2008, 16:59 PM GMT

Since this issue surfaced sometime ago and there was no change in BCCI position (and by design Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka once again likely tow BCCI line), further prodding of this is only ikely to complicate matters for the officials and jeoperdise its many mandates on the promotion of cricket within and beyond the existing membership. Principally ICC and companion websites must be careful in leading discussions in one direction such as issues as controversial as these. As we are bombarded daily by major British and partially by U.S. networks (moral guardians of world order) of the predicament facing citizens of Zimbabwe, lets choose an appropriate channel to address these. The ICC and companion websites should focus on the promotion of cricket.

Posted by louisventer on June 28 2008, 16:21 PM GMT

what nikhilashri fails to realise is that by restricting the zim participation they dont get to squirrel ICC funds to the corrupt regime. From my point of view the BCCI has one option and one only, a vote not to expel Zim is a vote for BCCI greed. Sporting sanctions hurt us as south african supporters more than any financial sanctions and that was a key reason to bring unity back to the country after the political situation was rectified. The world cups for rugby and cricket showed us that both sides of the fence were driving for the same thing, by not imposing sporting sanctions the ICC denies Zim that hope at reconciliation and keeps financing a corrupt regime....the ICC are part of the zim warlord situation at the moment and they have to distance themselves. If the BCCI prevents this they might as well make a donation to ZANU-PF

Posted by peeeeet on June 28 2008, 13:22 PM GMT

I am an Australian, and I am really hurt by reading all the anti-Aus stuff that is being said here. If the posters saying this knew the Aus political situation at the moment now - the current gov is a different party to the one which went with war and the new gov is pulling out. On the ZIM issue, it shouldn't really be about the political situation which we all know about. It should be about the quality of international cricket and maintaining standards, and the fact that Zim havent played tests since 2005 shows their standard or lack there of. I noticed a comment about Bang not being good as well but they show signs of improvement - beating Aus in 2005, making super 8 of world cup, everything about Zim cricket is just declining and they should not receive the benefits of the top cricket teams as they show no signs of being one of the top teams.

Posted by nikhilashri on June 27 2008, 23:12 PM GMT

The article starts with and revolves around the flawed idea of punishing a child for the sins of his father. Mr. Bal argues that Zimbabwe should be debarred for there political situation. However who are they trying to punish? Does Mugabe really care if England doesnt go and play in Zimbabwe? I guess the answer is simple no. Then who is going to suffer? Obviously the cricketers. Its very unfortunate that a country like SA which experinced this injustice first hand, now inflict the same injustice on its neighbour. Even if we talk about the cricketing standards, no one should forget that it was Zimbabwe responsible for India's two world cup exits and nearly changed the histroy of sport in third (1983). This is a visious circle, you dont allow them to play and then you say they are not good enough to play. I think they are much better than Bangladesh and they have indeed produced some of the finest players of our generation. If you have to then equate there cricketing standards to WI.

Posted by IndianMigrant on June 27 2008, 21:40 PM GMT

English and Australian governments who were morally bankrupt to side with US in Iraqi war has no rights to raise questions about Robert Mugabe Zimbabwe government. At least US gave valid reasons (event though it turned out to be false in the end) before going to war and US soldiers have made most of the sacrifices next to Iraqi civilians. But the English and Australians with their token presence in Iraq have only contributed to the destruction of Iraqi civilian society and left thousands of innocent Iraqi's dead. US is still trying to normalize the situation in Iraq. So English and Australians please spare BCCI and the world with you hypocritical sense of justice and dubious ethics

Posted by ashwin_547 on June 27 2008, 17:40 PM GMT

Terrible, the breadbasket of Africa is now a waste land. There have even been several incidences of cricketers escaping to South Africa in car boots or having their family farms seized. Nothing now can stop them from destroying everything left. Zimbabwe just need more exposure, South African first class cricket might help them back, but their domestic standards are too low. Things need to be changed if they are to punch above their weight any more.

Posted by Jakkals on June 27 2008, 15:32 PM GMT

I do not understand this. From 1969 till 1992 SA were banned because of politics, now politics and sport are seem to be two different things according to BCCI. If they had that same idea in 1969 we would have seen the true potencial of a Graeme Pollock and Barry Richards etc. Shame on you India.

Posted by FreedomforCitizens on June 27 2008, 11:00 AM GMT

I take offense at Sambit Bal's comment that Zimbabwe is in the same sentence as US and its Allies! Does Sambit forget the UN resolutions against Iraq?

Posted by Colossus on June 27 2008, 09:50 AM GMT

Resurgence doesn't come in without a realization of the true status of the situation. And demoting Zimbabwe from a test nation to a associate nation, will be a measured step towards that. Yes, the cricketers who have their living depending on cricket, may feel robbed. And as associate nation players with a political system as Zimbabwe's, they may struggle to make a living. And that is where BCCI can lend their support, if they truly want to. Infuse those Zimbabweans into their affluent IPL system, and not only help them earn a living, but also make them good enough to help their nation recover their Test status ! BCCI has done its job ( if genuinely its looking to support Zimbabwe cricket) and ICC has done its own, with BCCI in confidence; all done! But its only then, that they mix politics with cricket, and doesn't allow that to happen!

Posted by Zordrac on June 27 2008, 08:46 AM GMT

I loved Zimbabwe as a cricketing nation. A 2nd side from Africa, or indeed when they came in South Africa was still suspended. They were the little guys who occasionally surprised. They were much like Sri Lanka when they first started, usually below par but occasionally they had upset wins. Heath Streak and Andy Flower were champions. Then there was Neil Johnson who came good in that world cup. They were building the foundation of a truly great team, who could truly challenge on the world stage. And then came the suspension of Andy Flower and Henry Olonga. Fair enough Flower was due to retire, but Olonga was just trying to make a point. The way that they were treated was abysmal. Then alter we hear that Heath Streak's father is kidnapped, and even the black replacement for Andy Flower is being threatened, and it all gets ridiculous. That is what we object to. An all-black Zimbabwe team is fine in my books (although even a Mugabe team isn't all black). The issue is violence

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