Sibanda's NZ tour in doubt?

[betterdays]

The game is bigger than individual players.

Not sure ... the game is made up of individuals, and looking after them - which includes being straightfowrard in your expectations - is essential.

We can afford some standards, this is no longer 2005..

Well, I think asking players to be available for selection is sufficient. If the player majkes that clear to both their national board and the club they're renting themselves to then I don't see the problem. It's hard to know what the standards are wehn people are still complaining about payment. Ill-advised!? possibly ill-informed!!

[Boundary]

"Madness" is the word that keeps cropping up if this is true. Let's be prepared as ZCF to put as much pressure on ZC if this thing is allowed to happen. ZCF members in NZ should go to the ground with placards, and this should happen wherever in the world the team plays. Embarrass them as administrators as they are embarrassing us as fans. I'm already fuming.

[bayhaus]

Happy new year to u all! This is exactly what Zim does not need. he should not have been allowed to go in the first place. Well the trade offs continue, this does not surprise me at all I expect it from ZC. These are power struggles. But this does not do well for the morale in the team. Takes us back to WC and that dreaded Coventary experiment. NZ dont have to play any mind games on our players we have ZC to do that, thats why before a Zim series you never hear our opponents say they are targetting so and so cos we have ZC to do that for them. if Vusi does not play then we can surely expect some drama after the NZ tour...

[CrimsonAvenger]

More news about the potential Sibanda snub: http://www.radiovop.com/index.php/sport ... -snub.html

Harare, January 06, 2012 - Zimbabwe national cricket team opening batsman Vusi Sibanda faces a New Zealand snub over his decision to play in Australia and shun the local league.

The national team, which went into camp on Tuesday, will face New Zealand in a one-off Test, three ODIs and a two T-20s starting January 17.

The 28-year-old Sibanda, one of the form players in last year’s three Tests against Bangaldesh, Pakistan and New Zealand with a batting average of 45 in those three, has not been able to train with the rest of the 20-member squad since his return from Australia to prepare for the New Zealand tour.

On Wednesday, Sibanda sat it out while his teammates went about their routines at Harare Sports Club as it was not clear whether selectors will consider him.

Sibanda is part of the squad which was selected before his decision to snub a contract offer from MidWest rhinos to sign for Eastern suburbs of Sydney.

Acting convenor of selectors Givemore Makoni on Thursday said that a decision will only be made today on whether the player can will be considered for selection.

“A few meetings will be held tomorrow and we should have a clearer position by the end of the day,” said Makoni.

Sibanda, however looking distraught about being barred from training with the other players, refused to comment.

In a bid to encourage players to stay and play in the local league Zimbabwe Cricket set as one of its rules that only those players plying their trade locally will be considered for selection.

Sibanda missed the country’s premier T-20 competition, the Stanbic Bank 2o Series as well as the current Logan Cup.

[FlowerPower]

This is all a bit insane, I personally don't see what the problem with not playing in Zim is. I mean it's not like our FC is the best in the world (not terrible either, just not so great to be THE only standard)

Besides if I were ZC I would be happy, player gets better and different experience which can only benefit us, and he also makes a bit of money (a hugely understated necessity which ZC seems to be struggling to give)... Except if because of going away the player rules himself out of national duty....which isn't the case here... So from all angles I don't see a problem at all.

Besides truely and legally speaking Vusi hasn't broken any rules...had he signed for Rhinos (which apparently he didnt) then reneged, then he'd have a case to answer, but he didn't breach any contract he exercised his right to seek alternative employ without jeopardizing his national duty availability....where is the problem then? Except if this a personal vendetta...Vusi refused to sign for Rhinos ...hence let's fix him....vindictive and frankly childish but more importantly disappointing.

hhm...isms are terrible...be they racism (BOTH forms) or tribalism...and Zim seems fixated with them...I know racism (both types) were there before although much better now, as for tribalism I have no evidence to support or refute, but would like to think the fact that Vusi, Chris and Njabulo would be enough to dispel that notion and I can't think of a "Ndebele" named player that is better that the current players.

Connant you normally are reasonable but your last outburst has a few holes in it. Vusimizi (incorrectly slept I may add...should be Vusumuzi ...meaning raise a home...literally but meaning raise a clan/family) is as Ndebele as they come that combined with the Sibanda surname leave little ambiguity. The fact that he was born in Highfield and speaks Shona won't change his Ndebele links. A bit like saying because Brian Mujati or Wesly Mbanje being born in Bulawayo makes them Ndebele which is not true..

Bottom line gents (hhm and Conant) I believe his tribal affiliations should not (frankly I don't see it) cricketing rating...he is a class player and should be rated on just that and right here right now he is being treated unfairly period.

[betterdays]

This is all a bit insane, I personally don't see what the problem with not playing in Zim is. I mean it's not like our FC is the best in the world (not terrible either, just not so great to be THE only standard) .

Conant has a vaguely legitimate point here though I think...the problem with not playing in Zim is that everyone with a little skill and opportunity to go abroad may do so and that would leave the domestic FC system all the poorer. They should be encouraged to stay but one can hardly enforce it without, as you say, "scoring an own goal". In any case, the main thing is they should have been open with him beforehand (maybe they were and he decided to 'hear' Butcher's assurances only - we're in the dark as usual)

[betterdays]

This is all a bit insane, I personally don't see what the problem with not playing in Zim is. I mean it's not like our FC is the best in the world (not terrible either, just not so great to be THE only standard) .

Conant has a vaguely legitimate point here though I think...the problem with not playing in Zim is that everyone with a little skill and opportunity to go abroad may do so and that would leave the domestic FC system all the poorer. They should be encouraged to stay but one can hardly enforce it without, as you say, "scoring an own goal". In any case, the main thing is they should have been open with him beforehand (maybe they were and he decided to 'hear' Butcher's assurances only - we're in the dark as usual)

Is Taylor's case very different - or what?

[Tinashce Ruswa]

Wow just when you had thought that the silliness of yesteryear was past and that we had turned the corner something like this occurs thereby highlighting how some of the so called administrators are inept at player and people management.Its a global game, if any player Vusa, BT, Waller whoever tells you the he is committed to playing for Zimbabwe then a stint outside the country can only benefit the greater cause of Zimbabwe Cricket....It boggles the mind as to why you have the "administrators " most of whom are oratory cricketers as opposed to past practising ones are now delaying and deliberating over a simple cricket decision.If the coach and inner cricket playing circles say its fine for him then why bar Vusy?..I tell you change is the only thing that is NOT constant , but then again why am I not surprised.

[Conant]

Is Taylor's case very different - or what?

Which is precisley the point, isnt it? The fact is, of all important days in the calendar, Vusi chose to turn his back on this one. Like somebody said, it was ill-advised; and like somebody also said maybe he was told it would not be wise but chose to ignore it. All this is conjecture so there is no point in dwelling on it.

Connant you normally are reasonable but your last outburst has a few holes in it. Vusimizi (incorrectly slept I may add...should be Vusumuzi ...meaning raise a home...literally but meaning raise a clan/family) is as Ndebele as they come that combined with the Sibanda surname leave little ambiguity. The fact that he was born in Highfield and speaks Shona won't change his Ndebele links. A bit like saying because Brian Mujati or Wesly Mbanje being born in Bulawayo makes them Ndebele which is not true..

Outburst? Im my sentence I don't think there was barely any emotion in there, just sentiment. So because I dared to differ with rest of the forum my sentiments are labelled an outburst? This time it is you who has lost the plot FlowerPower.

Bottom line gents (hhm and Conant) I believe his tribal affiliations should not (frankly I don't see it) cricketing rating...he is a class player and should be rated on just that and right here right now he is being treated unfairly period.

I agree, his worth should be measured only by what he brings on the table. In any case without anyone really knowing proof exactly what tribal affiliation Vusi is, (if it should matter an iota at all!!) -- though his name and surname indeed strongly suggest a Ndebele link -- all this is a moot point, and I don't think it was right that hhm intimates tribal connotations or prejudices when there has been no proof or suggestions of such. Better still, it is an argument that I should have stayed well clear of -- its does not have substance until it is proved otherwise!!

[betterdays]

Is Taylor's case very different - or what?

Which is precisley the point, isnt it? The fact is, of all important days in the calendar, Vusi chose to turn his back on this one.!!

I genuinely don't know why, if VS is being questioned, Taylor is not ... but one of us is misinformed because I thought Vusi was at the training - while Taylor was not - and, like Taylor, available for selection! It's difficult to see what he's done wrong really