Is this the end of the line?

[brmtaylor.com admin]

I've always been pretty bullish about Zimbabwe's survival and I don't like writing something so negative. Things have never been great, there was always hope though. But I'm coming to the realisation now that ZC have let things get past the point of no return. Graeme Cremer is an absolute class act, and Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza will probably fly the flag from time to time but they have no support and nobody to replace them in the future.

We've just been slaughtered by Afghanistan. Let that sink in for a second. A country which maybe 10 years ago didn't even have a cricket team now brushes us aside with ease, and regularly. Home and away.

I don't think we can come back from that. I don't see how. Nothing is going to change within ZC, it's fanciful to think it will. There was a period between 2009 and 2013 where the stars all aligned and believe it or not the cricket teams' fortunes rose, as did that of the nation, but that is history now. So if nothing will change in the administration, improvement must come from the playing group. How is that possible when the next generation of players, in a domestic league which is basically a joke, is nowhere near as good as the current lot? The current lot which can't even show fight against the might of Afghanistan.

Maybe a few players should have worn black armbands on March 14, 2015. Because on the 5th ball of the 42nd over, Zimbabwe lost its heart and soul and Zimbabwe cricket died with it.

[eugene]

There is no reason to think things are going to get any better. At least in the dark days of the rebel walkout we knew we had some talented youngsters fresh from a good Under-19 World Cup campaign who in time could be competitive. If you try and name a potential 2026 (or even 2021) Zimbabwe team now it is really difficult to come up with anyone of quality who is going to stick around.

I have long said that it would be best for ZC to collapse altogether, Zimbabwe become an associate, the money dry-up, and for cricket to be reclaimed by those who truly love the game. Rugby in Zimbabwe is finally turning the corner in Zimbabwe, but it had to hit rock-bottom first.

The only thing that is unpredictable and could affect the status of cricket in Zimbabwe is the government. When Mugabe dies, what happens? A bloody civil war? That would finish the game. A popular uprising that heralds democracy? That could suddenly change things for the better. A great unknown.

[Googly]

One must assume that the ICC will implement a two tier test system at some point, which means we will probably stay alive for a bit longer. It's bizarre to think that cricket is the second most popular sport, yet the state of cricket in all but the top few countries is in really bad shape, which may also be why we are not being flushed down the toilet. One of our problems is that Zim has collapsed economically which exacerbates the malaise of our cricket a thousand fold.
This two tier system will condemn us to a a much lower revenue stream and even if our administrators, by a miracle, now misappropriate/mismanage half the amount it will still result in our cricketers being even worse off than they are now. Once we are near amateur status with no chance of clawing our way back into the mainstream it will definitely be the end.
Then of course we will see who genuinely enjoys the game and if ZC's fictitious grass roots drive has really worked, I think we all know the answer to that one. It may well be that we support a team that has the unenviable record of the worst win/loss ratio in the history of all sports. Sadly at no point will anybody voluntarily relinquish control, for it is still be better to crow on a dung heap than none at all.

[ZIMDOGGY]

Why all the negativity guys?

We have this sports minister who has identified all these issues and is about to launch a campaign of sorts to woo back the diaspora and stop the rot internally.

If that happens, then i doint think the climb back is as bad as made out.

[Jemisi]

As bad as ZC is, it really does depend on the Mugabe ending. As Eugene says.

I doubt there will be a full blown civil war. There doesn't seem to be the stomach for it amongst even the real badies. There may be a period of bloodshed though as Zanu collapses/transfers leadership.

As for a successful governmental renewal that may be a long shot.

Some sort of dodgy compromise may result.

If Grace gets in charge the end will have come, if there is some genuine renewal money may come in quickly, some personnel back and who knows?

Things can change rapidly in either direction.

It is darkest before the dawn as they say.

[eugene]

I doubt Grace will get control. To me it seems like the military are positioning themselves to take over.

[Googly]

So Zimdoggy, what changes do you think the new minister might make that will effect any change?

[sloandog]

Sack the black Admin, bring back the white admin, guys who actually gave a shit about the game.
That's purely on an administration level, not a supporters level before people load their shotguns and point them at me