ESPNCRICINFO reports that Gary Ballance has retired from all cricket - does anybody know details, what happened ?

[jontym87]

Most of the squad are regular recreational drug users and it's no secret. Ballance's crime was he did it during a series, which is idiotic.

This not a secret and not even a lie i will fall short of dropping names since some may say i have an 'agenda'. But in all honesty, I blame ZC they need to put strict testing measures in place to combat recreational drug use. Put together a welfare based recreational drug testing programme through a recreational drugs policy outlining consequences for players who violate the policy. The programme should be designed to identify players with welfare challenges and provide them with bespoke support otherwise we are doomed.

[jontym87]

So why quit

You clearly do not understand the magnitude and ramifications for this right? The results of the matches which Ballance played will/can be nullified. Meaning it will be a major setback for ZC as that series was part of the WC qualification cycle.

Even if he had not quit he was facing a 4yr ban automatically career is over you think he will make a comeback at 37/38

I probably didn't appreciate the magnitude and ramifications mate, no. However I know at least 3 players (one of whome is still in the national squad) who has failed drug tests in years gone by whi have been centered around ZC. They were still allowed to play and continue, though this was in 2008 and a lot has since changed. I was just thinking he takes a slap on the wrist by ZC and gets a 3 match ban or something. But yea, the ICC probably wouldn't see it that way

That 2008 case i know about it and Im glad you pointed about getting a slap on the wrist and allowed to continue to play by ZC. See what i said in my last post ZC is to blame a lot of cases are swept under the carpet just them to protect their image not knowing they are shooting themselves in the foot!

[secretzimbo]

I've seen national contracted players with my own eyes taking recreational drugs at a party at a cricket ground on a Friday evening in the past. It's completely accepted here. Definitely an issue.

Having said that, I doubt Ballance was smoking green at a big party, living the high life having a good time. More like taking things regularly to combat his mental health issues. I feel sorry for him.

Rafiq destroyed him.

[zimbos_05]

I have no sympathy for drug users in sport anyone who knows me will tell you that i even cancelled franchise contracts for some guys (for avoidance of doubt black guys) who did what appeared a small thing like smoking weed.

Even smoking cigarettes during the cricket season and if caught sanctions were ready for you but in the national team people got away with it to the extent of someone failing to open the batting during a world cup match because he was having a cigarette. This is just an example, for Zimbabwe to prosper needs tough love. i even have a first class player i fell out with who came to the UK as always told him not to smoke during cricket it doesnt paint a good picture he is a pro with international cap(s) refused to listen and just said fuck this do your thing and now last season he failed to score past 30 runs whole season and was not fit all the time. Small things like this build up and contribute to your downfall.

I don't think anyone condones the use of drugs, particularly during a series. What I think is a slightly hard one to take is that it seems there are multiple cases of players caught taking drugs who have got slaps on the wrist, yet Garry is being made to retire.

As much you don't think he is a good player, in the context of Zim, he is a quality player and he proved that in his short stint. With a WCQ coming up, he adds immense value to the side and we are tired of missing out on the WC. Fans have dealt with shit for so long and we keep having to do so. We had the last WCQ failure, the SRC drama, then Cremer left, then the Streak issue, then the BT shit, now this. It's a constant stream of failures and upset when the actual potential and possibilities are much higher.

A lot of players get away with crap in the ZC set up, so it seems that not everyone has to live to the same high standards that others are forced to.

[jontym87]

I've seen national contracted players with my own eyes taking recreational drugs at a party at a cricket ground on a Friday evening in the past. It's completely accepted here. Definitely an issue.

Having said that, I doubt Ballance was smoking green at a big party, living the high life having a good time. More like taking things regularly to combat his mental health issues. I feel sorry for him.

Rafiq destroyed him.

You where the issue is it's 'acceptable' in Zim. ZC is to blame.

No, Ballance destroyed himself.

[secretzimbo]

I don't think anyone condones the use of drugs, particularly during a series. What I think is a slightly hard one to take is that it seems there are multiple cases of players caught taking drugs who have got slaps on the wrist, yet Garry is being made to retire.

If it's an ICC in-competition test then it's different. He will be getting a ban from the ICC and nobody can turn a blind eye to that. Mot of the guys who get slaps on the wrist are just caught locally by word of mouth, rather than by ICC anti-doping.

He's also not being forced to retire, but choosing. Probably thinks serving a ban and coming back again isn't worth it. His contract probably allows ZC to terminate it upon something like this too.

[jontym87]

I have no sympathy for drug users in sport anyone who knows me will tell you that i even cancelled franchise contracts for some guys (for avoidance of doubt black guys) who did what appeared a small thing like smoking weed.

Even smoking cigarettes during the cricket season and if caught sanctions were ready for you but in the national team people got away with it to the extent of someone failing to open the batting during a world cup match because he was having a cigarette. This is just an example, for Zimbabwe to prosper needs tough love. i even have a first class player i fell out with who came to the UK as always told him not to smoke during cricket it doesnt paint a good picture he is a pro with international cap(s) refused to listen and just said fuck this do your thing and now last season he failed to score past 30 runs whole season and was not fit all the time. Small things like this build up and contribute to your downfall.

I don't think anyone condones the use of drugs, particularly during a series. What I think is a slightly hard one to take is that it seems there are multiple cases of players caught taking drugs who have got slaps on the wrist, yet Garry is being made to retire.

As much you don't think he is a good player, in the context of Zim, he is a quality player and he proved that in his short stint. With a WCQ coming up, he adds immense value to the side and we are tired of missing out on the WC. Fans have dealt with shit for so long and we keep having to do so. We had the last WCQ failure, the SRC drama, then Cremer left, then the Streak issue, then the BT shit, now this. It's a constant stream of failures and upset when the actual potential and possibilities are much higher.

A lot of players get away with crap in the ZC set up, so it seems that not everyone has to live to the same high standards that others are forced to.

I never said he is not a good player just said in whiteball side doesn't add value and his integration in the national setup was handled in a wrong way. Had he played just 1 Logan cup game things would be different but because he was treated as someone 'special' and all attention is on him now.

When ICC orders a random test to a player It's out of ZC hands. What it does exposes ZC that they don't have mechanisms in place to detect and stop drug use within the professional setup they need to be sanctioned for this too. Everyone sees it happening but ZC are too blind to see let alone act. Director of cricket must fall.

On a side note who takes ZC seriously when they employ a disgraced former police officer fired for corruption to be the Head of Anti-Corruption, Security & Anti-Doping.... It's a massive joke this whole thing will open a whole drum of worms.

I am now tired wont be commenting on this anymore.

[secretzimbo]

^ Thank fuck for that

[zimbos_05]

I never said he is not a good player just said in whiteball side doesn't add value and his integration in the national setup was handled in a wrong way. Had he played just 1 Logan cup game things would be different but because he was treated as someone 'special' and all attention is on him now.

When ICC orders a random test to a player It's out of ZC hands. What it does exposes ZC that they don't have mechanisms in place to detect and stop drug use within the professional setup they need to be sanctioned for this too. Everyone sees it happening but ZC are too blind to see let alone act. Director of cricket must fall.

On a side note who takes ZC seriously when they employ a disgraced former police officer fired for corruption to be the Head of Anti-Corruption, Security & Anti-Doping.... It's a massive joke this whole thing will open a whole drum of worms.

I am now tired wont be commenting on this anymore.

He could have played 50 Logan Cup games, still would have had all the attention. His name brings it automatically.

Yeah, ZC clearly has a drug issue and needs to have a better system in place. In a sense, ZC has failed Gary in that it did not set up a proper support system for his return, knowing the mental issues he had been dealing with before coming back to Zim. Gary has also done himself the disservice by taking the substance during a series. Zim really needs to have a drug agency that is providing education and training aroud drug use and it's detriments. It also needs to have a system in place in which it supports players who have issues and how to better manage themselves.

It's obviously a lot to ask of ZC who can barely organise a piss up in a brewery.

I can only imagine it was through some medication he is on and unfortunately it's a tough one to just give up during a series.

[mnelson68]

I have no sympathy for drug users in sport anyone who knows me will tell you that i even cancelled franchise contracts for some guys (for avoidance of doubt black guys) who did what appeared a small thing like smoking weed.

Even smoking cigarettes during the cricket season and if caught sanctions were ready for you but in the national team people got away with it to the extent of someone failing to open the batting during a world cup match because he was having a cigarette. This is just an example, for Zimbabwe to prosper needs tough love. i even have a first class player i fell out with who came to the UK as always told him not to smoke during cricket it doesnt paint a good picture he is a pro with international cap(s) refused to listen and just said fuck this do your thing and now last season he failed to score past 30 runs whole season and was not fit all the time. Small things like this build up and contribute to your downfall.

I don't think anyone condones the use of drugs, particularly during a series. What I think is a slightly hard one to take is that it seems there are multiple cases of players caught taking drugs who have got slaps on the wrist, yet Garry is being made to retire.

As much you don't think he is a good player, in the context of Zim, he is a quality player and he proved that in his short stint. With a WCQ coming up, he adds immense value to the side and we are tired of missing out on the WC. Fans have dealt with shit for so long and we keep having to do so. We had the last WCQ failure, the SRC drama, then Cremer left, then the Streak issue, then the BT shit, now this. It's a constant stream of failures and upset when the actual potential and possibilities are much higher.

A lot of players get away with crap in the ZC set up, so it seems that not everyone has to live to the same high standards that others are forced to.

I never said he is not a good player just said in whiteball side doesn't add value and his integration in the national setup was handled in a wrong way. Had he played just 1 Logan cup game things would be different but because he was treated as someone 'special' and all attention is on him now.

When ICC orders a random test to a player It's out of ZC hands. What it does exposes ZC that they don't have mechanisms in place to detect and stop drug use within the professional setup they need to be sanctioned for this too. Everyone sees it happening but ZC are too blind to see let alone act. Director of cricket must fall.

On a side note who takes ZC seriously when they employ a disgraced former police officer fired for corruption to be the Head of Anti-Corruption, Security & Anti-Doping.... It's a massive joke this whole thing will open a whole drum of worms.

I am now tired wont be commenting on this anymore.

Can you please get over the play 1 logan cup game bullshit, he showed how good he is by saving the first test with a hundred .