The Coltart Roadshow Continues...

[maehara]

Tweeted by David Coltart this morning:

Off to speak to Scotland cricket in Ayr to persuade them to come and play in Zimbabwe. Then possibly off to Dublin to do the same with Irish

Him considering going to Dublin does kinda imply that Ireland touring Zim isn't a done deal yet.

[sanchez]

Tweeted by David Coltart this morning:

Off to speak to Scotland cricket in Ayr to persuade them to come and play in Zimbabwe. Then possibly off to Dublin to do the same with Irish

Him considering going to Dublin does kinda imply that Ireland touring Zim isn't a done deal yet.

Why globetrotting around the world he should be at home more worrying about the problems in the education department.

[eugene]

With the Irish cricket team also including Northern Ireland (and thus the United Kingdom) does this complicate the issue of them touring Zimbabwe. I assume the Republic of Ireland doesn't have such a strong stance against Zimbabwe as the UK does?

[maehara]

Why globetrotting around the world he should be at home more worrying about the problems in the education department.

That's one argument that could be made. But: a) Sport is still one of his responsibilities and has to be dealt with, and b) it's a fairly small portion of his time that's spent "jetting off". At least he's not commandeering Air Zimbabwe every time he flies.

With the Irish cricket team also including Northern Ireland (and thus the United Kingdom) does this complicate the issue of them touring Zimbabwe. I assume the Republic of Ireland doesn't have such a strong stance against Zimbabwe as the UK does?

Cricket Ireland received funding from both the Irish government and the Northern Ireland Executive, so yes, they'll both get a say. Quite what the Executive's line on Zimbabwe is I'm not quite sure, as foreign affairs aren't part of their remit - Zim has never come up in the Assembly other than a passing reference.

Ireland makes the usual noises of condemnation and art party to the EU's banned persons list, but for everyone else there's no real problem - last I checked you didn't even need a visa to visit Ireland on a Zim passport, which is quite unusual these days.

[bayhaus]

Why globetrotting around the world he should be at home more worrying about the problems in the education department.

Well Scotland and Ireland coming to play in Zimbabwe are political goals for Zimbabwe, its more of the bigger picture, nothing is ever what it seems in politics.

[maehara]

http://twitter.com/DavidColtart/status/21770181299

Good meetings with Irish and Scotland cricket this week - looks as if both will tour. Nice meeting with Andy Flower too at the Oval on Thurs