Scotland reverse decision to tour Zimbabwe

[clikcspeed]

From cricinfo http://www.cricinfo.com/icccont2010/con ... CMP=chrome

Scotland have reversed their decision to tour Zimbabwe for an Intercontinental Cup fixture in October, following advice from the Scottish government and ministers against visiting the country. The match was initially scheduled to be held at a neutral African venue before the Scotland board agreed to a proposal to host it in Zimbabwe, but a change in the UK government's policy has led to the decision not to tour.

"The government is firmly of the view that there has not yet been sufficient progress in Zimbabwe on the fundamental issues of political reform and of re-establishing the rule of law to justify sports tours by British teams and the positive signal that would send," the ministers had advised the board. "We therefore strongly advise against such visits. We recognise that the final decision is for the relevant cricket boards, but hope they will consider their decisions carefully in the light of our unequivocal advice."

The Scotland board considered the advice, and following discussions with the ICC, decided to abide by it.

Roddy Smith, the Cricket Scotland chief, said the board had been in an "impossible no-win situation" that left them without any other course of action. "Although accepting that this decision will not be welcomed by some key partners, we felt that as a responsible governing body we could not, and would not, contravene the direct and unequivocal advice from the government," Smith said. "We hope that the Scotland team can look forward to playing in Zimbabwe again in the future if and when Government policy allows."

Scotland's decision comes as a setback to Zimbabwe's steady return to the fold following their withdrawal from Test cricket in 2006. India and Sri Lanka toured the country for a triangular series in May, and Ireland confirmed their September trip for an Intercontinental Cup game and three ODIs. Kenya and Afghanistan recently played their Intercontinental Cup matches in the country. Former international fast-bowlers Allan Donald and Jason Gillespie gave Zimbabwe and its cricketing infrastructure a vote of confidence by taking up coaching assignments with domestic teams.

I'm getting really sick of all this negativity! First it was New Zealand, now Scotland. We all know that there is nothing ZC could do to change who is in power (politically) so why punish our game??? The ICC should punish these guys, seriously...

[sloandog]

This Smith is talking like his Scotland is as good as Australia, and that Zimbabwe are really bothered
It's Scotland for gods sake, who needs them, It'd be a poor competition anyway, we murder them. The Ireland series will be a much more competitive series, and one I'll be looking forward to more

[clikcspeed]

LOL Sloandog! LOL, its still pissing off though! but yeah, Scotland aint Oz!!!

[bayhaus]

It would be embarrasing after all the hoo to come over and be taken to the cleaners by Zimbabwe. The UK govt warned them that they are going to get creamed by Zim A that is so they opted out instead.

[maehara]

The UK govt warned them that they are going to get creamed by Zim A that is so they opted out instead.

The match will still be played, either in SA or UAE - I'd put money on it. Scotland aren't going to blow their possible place in the final or risk ICC fines by simply not playing the match.

[sloandog]

The UK govt warned them that they are going to get creamed by Zim A that is so they opted out instead.

The match will still be played, either in SA or UAE - I'd put money on it. Scotland aren't going to blow their possible place in the final or risk ICC fines by simply not playing the match.

That's where the ICC should step in. If Scotland don't want to play the fixture in Zimbabwe then they should not be given the privilege of playing at another venue

[maehara]

That's where the ICC should step in. If Scotland don't want to play the fixture in Zimbabwe then they should not be given the privilege of playing at another venue

There's an agreement that the ICC members sign up to that covers tour commitments etc - it's somewhere on the ICC website, I'll have to dig a link to it up sometime. The basic gist, though, is that all fixtures should be honoured, unless one of two conditions arise:
1) There's a report by an ICC-approved security consultant, advising that it's unsafe to tour the country concerned (which is how everyone gets out of touring Pakistan at the moment); or
2) One of the relevant governments has stated that the tour shouldn't go ahead.

2) applies here, so Scotland can face no ICC sanction simply for not touring Zim - they didn't make the decision, the British & Scottish governments essentially made it for them (which is different from the last time England toured, where despite almost being begged to by the ECB the government of the day refused to issue any formal guidance on the matter - so England had to play).

There's also the small matter that, as far as I'm aware, when ZimXI were admitted to the Intercontinental Cup it was on the understanding we'd play our 'home' games at neutral venues - but no-one seems to be grumbling that ZC and the ICC haven't honoured that side of the agreement. Full marks to the countries that have come to Zim (Kenya, Afghanistan, Ireland), but it wasn't part of the tournament conditions, initially, that they would be required to do so.

If Scotland were to refuse to play at a neutral venue, then the ICC could sanction them. Until then, they haven't broken any rules to be sanctioned for.

[sloandog]

Oh....

[Zimfanatic69]

More's the pity. The Game should be forfeit and the points given to Zimbabwe.

[maehara]

More's the pity. The Game should be forfeit and the points given to Zimbabwe.

Personally, it would be far more satisfying to play the game and reach the final on merit, than get there on freebies.