Goodbye Full Membership status?

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Googly
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Re: Goodbye Full Membership status?

Post by Googly »

Nobody in the existing administrative set up has any credibility whatsoever, and they lack integrity and ability. There's no point in reshuffling the same deck. There's only two ways of effecting change- either through determined action by the players' union or by the ICC making appointments. The players are completely ineffective and even if they were to succeed I suspect their choices would be equally rubbish. The ICC would never get involved, they would encounter fierce resistance from a number of quarters if they attempted this. They have shown that their intention is to diplomatically ease us out by letting us hang ourselves, and we're very definitely going to be doing that. The five year notice we've been given is not going to register with people who can't see past tomorrow.
I guess my overriding emotions are frustration and despair.
We need a Board that is prepared to work without remuneration and they need the power to fire the plethora of incredibly incompetent people that have created this mess. We'd see an immediate change. I'm not saying we'd save the day, because we're a long way down the line to cricketing oblivion, but we'd have half a chance. The way we're going the outcome is grimly certain- an inexorable slide into the abyss. Anyway let's watch it unfold.

JHunter
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Re: Goodbye Full Membership status?

Post by JHunter »

Googly wrote:I agree in principle, but what must be galling for the affected parties is that there's a certain amount of funds for distribution by the ICC and we're getting our full member share and getting worse every year, and nothing is going to stop the slide now. There has to be a time limit on that. It's not like we came bottom of the log for the season but we're bouncing back next one. It would be great if they set strict criteria and policed it. I'd like to see a requirement for board members to be independently wealthy and not be remunerated at all, that would cut out most of the nonesense.
Googly wrote:Zimbabweans have mastered the art of standing with their hands out for cash and then angrily shouting st the timid donors when they meekly ask where the money may have disappeared to. ICC need to rein our board in or pull the plug.
Agreed. It must be galling that ICC funds seem to disappear without any positive effect. And there should be a time limit on that.

But the punishment meted out should target the problem area. The problem area is a thoroughly corrupt and incompetent board. Demoting the cricketing society/nation punishes not just the board, but everyone else from the players to the groundskeepers to the fans and the any club members who had absolutely nothing to do with the maladministration at the top (and indeed who may well have been stymied by the people at the top of the totem pole).

It would be the equivalent of say....removing all Congressmen, Supreme Court Judges, Legislative Drafters, Cabinet Members and President Clinton over Clinton's perjury during the Lewinski scandal, instead of just censuring or impeaching him alone ---> such a move is completely disproportionate and negatively impacts a lot of people who are actually innocent of the what a particular coterie have been doing. Using a hammer to kill a fly sure gets the job done (fly is definitely dead) but a lot of damage is done in the process.

It's rather dispiriting that so many seem to support the one-dimensional solutions instead of supporting or suggesting ways that don't involve completely destroying an entire sporting society.

As to what should be done with the board, giving it only a couple minutes thought (when I have more time I could probably come up with something more well thought through), I would throw in the suggestion that the ICC could suspend Zimbabwe Cricket (so Zimbabwe remains a full member but suspended) until ZC accounts for all the monies spent, while the money that should be allocated would be put in escrow, and perhaps even some of the funds could be distributed directly to clubs or the ICC could use that money to pay for expenses (audited) that the clubs in Zimbabwe incurred in keeping afloat. The ICC money couldn't be used to organize say A team tours or Zimbabwean test matches, but it could help keep clubs going while ZC was suspended and enable the clubs to perhaps organize unofficial 4-day, 1 day and 20 over matches between themselves so that cricket doesn't stop completely.

ricky
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Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2016 10:05 am

Re: Goodbye Full Membership status?

Post by ricky »

I really dont think Zimbabwe will loose their full membership status. But, even if they keep it , it would hardly matter in terms of quality of cricket they play. They are currently no match for Ireland and Afghanistan at the moment. Even Netherlands and Scotland can give them good fight. Zimbabwe has been performing poorly since 2004 at International stage, it good 12 to 13 stage. The country and board economy is in shambles. Their best talent has left Zimbabwe. There is no chance on earth ZIm can qualify for World Cup 2019, even if they manage to come in top 4 it will be big bonus for them in the qualifier. Zimbabwe must have the South African model of cricket. But they did not and now find themselves no where. Now, Zim only hope if that ICC accept 13 team World Cricket League, that way they will get guaranteed matched with top teams and good monies.

Googly
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Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2013 5:48 pm

Re: Goodbye Full Membership status?

Post by Googly »

Great points Mr Hunter. What are you doing for the next 5 years? There's an opening here for you.

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eugene
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Re: Goodbye Full Membership status?

Post by eugene »

The only thing separating us from second tier associates like the Netherlands, UAE, etc is we have a handful of elite (by associate status) players such as Cremer, Williams, Ervine, and Hammy. When these guys fail to perform we have no one else who can step up and play at a level above the opposition.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes

Googly
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Re: Goodbye Full Membership status?

Post by Googly »

We just need an admin that instils some confidence and it wouldn't be hard to get Sean Ervine and BT back here. You may well find the likes of Bruce, Lake, Byrom, Evans, King, Murray, Matigumu and Co would put their hands up. Now put those types in an A side or an Academy side and you've got the right material to work with. It just takes a change at the top and there would be immediate interest.

Googly
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Re: Goodbye Full Membership status?

Post by Googly »

Ed Joyce was granted special dispensation to play for Ireland before his 4 year period was up after having represented England. God forbid they extended that courtesy to Ballance and/or Cartwright! There's also that good Middlesex youngster, Ryan Higgins, but unfortunately he's played England U19 already and would want to try his luck in County for a while. The lure of International cricket is massive.

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CrimsonAvenger
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Re: Goodbye Full Membership status?

Post by CrimsonAvenger »

Googly, you are amazing! When everyone else is at their negative abyss you are at your positive best, and it has been vice versa till now :lol:

Googly
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Re: Goodbye Full Membership status?

Post by Googly »

We could get one last season out of Murray Goodwin! He'd have to throw away his zimmer frame, but he'd still be good for a few. He's a serious player.

Bulawayo Boy
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Re: Goodbye Full Membership status?

Post by Bulawayo Boy »

Let's be honest eh. Do we deserve full membership status? Sadly, the answer is, "No!"

We are embarrassing at the moment.

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