LONDON, 22 January 2004 — England may cancel their cricket tour of Zimbabwe this October on moral grounds after a paper submitted by a senior member of the sport’s national governing body.
Des Wilson, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) corporate affairs committee, has presented a 17-page document to the ruling body saying humanitarian issues should be considered in deciding whether tours take place.
The ECB will decide on Jan. 29 whether to go ahead with their team’s trip to Zimbabwe. “The safety of a touring party can no longer be the only factor in deciding whether or not to proceed with a controversial tour,” Wilson, a former vice-chairman of Sport England, told The Times.
“Can we tour this country knowing what we do about its stance on human rights and the suffering of its people?
“If the behavior of the regime is contrary to all that sport stands for the governing body should accept it cannot ignore such widespread concern.”
World cricket’s ruling body, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said it discussed the matter with ECB officials on Tuesday but stressed its own stance had not changed.
“All Test-playing countries, including England, have given a binding commitment to each other that political considerations would not be a factor when reviewing playing obligations,” said ICC president Ehsan Mani in a statement yesterday.
“This commitment was discussed during the meeting (with the ECB).”
British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s official spokesman told reporters yesterday that the ECB had asked the government for advice.
“That advice will be given and then it is up to the ECB,” he said. “We will give them an objective assessment of the political situation and security situation both of which have deteriorated since last year.”
England pulled out of a World Cup match in Harare last year because of security concerns. Before the decision Blair told Parliament the government believed the team should not play in Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) urged ECB chairman David Morgan yesterday to honor his commitment to tour.
“We are aware of media speculation concerning England’s tour of Zimbabwe but there has been no formal advice from the ECB to clarify the matter,” said chairman Peter Chingoka.
“Having honored our word that we would tour the United Kingdom we naturally expect England to reciprocate by touring Zimbabwe. “There’s no doubt that relations between the boards and other nations were strained by England’s refusal to play the World Cup game in Harare. It would be extremely disappointing from our point of view if England were to now review its position on this latest tour.”
Gough Ends 15-Year
Association With Yorkshire
In London, former England fast bowler Darren Gough announced his departure from English county Yorkshire yesterday.
The 33-year-old, who retired from Test cricket last August after giving up the fight against long-term knee problems, said in a statement he still wanted to play first-class cricket and regain a place in England’s one-day team.
“I wish to confirm that, for family reasons, I have today agreed with Yorkshire CCC that, after 15 very happy years, I will leave the club,” the Yorkshireman said.
