Zim Gets A Lifeline from the ICC

[kudet]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/ ... c-lifeline

Zimbabwe Cricket has given a lifeline by the ICC, whose board "agreed a package of measures" that will allow ZC to pay its debt while still receiving funding "on a controlled basis". The ICC has also offered to work with ZC "to develop a plan for managing its cricketing, management and financial structures which will be reviewed on an ongoing basis".

The decision came at the ICC's annual conference in Dublin where ESPNcricinfo understands Zimbabwe were at risk of suspension unless they were able to provide proof of reduced or restructured debt. ZC, through working with the Zimbabwe Asset Management Corporation, has been able to renegotiate its debt, which totalled around USD 18 million, and will be able to service this debt even though it will not receive its scheduled July payout from the ICC.

Instead, a plan of action will be put together to ensure ZC is drip-fed funding via a more regulated process to ensure it can meet its committments in paying staff and players - who are owed two months' salaries - as quickly as possible. Already, players have received the match fees they were owed from their tour to Sri Lanka last July/August, and all outstanding salaries are expected to be paid by the end of this month.

As a result of these collective actions, ZC was deemed to have complied with a number of conditions set by the ICC, which has committed to assisting ZC in getting back on its feet.

"I am satisfied we have mapped out a way forward to enable Zimbabwe Cricket to get back on track," Shashank Manohar, the ICC chairman, said. "It will require significant change to their financial, managerial and cricketing operations, along with support from the ICC, but we saw the latent potential of cricket at the recent ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe and this gives us the opportunity to build on that."

All this takes place as Zimbabwe take the field without five big-name players in the ongoing T20 triangular series against Australia and Pakistan, and while the organisation is without a Managing Director. Former captains Brendan Taylor and Graeme Cremer, allrounders Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams, and senior batsman Craig Ervine all opted to sit out the matches after the non-payment of the monies owed to them while Faisal Hasnain, who left the organisation at the end of April, has not been replaced. ZC have appointed Vince van der Bijl, the former ICC umpires and referees manager, as a consultant on a short-term basis.

Player representative Gerald Mlotchwa has yet to respond to a request for comment.

[kudet]

just a side note guys, what happened to the SRC's commission of inquiry in to ZC that was talked about just after the dissolving of the technical team? what were the findings and recommendations? was it ever published?

[NickG]

just a side note guys, what happened to the SRC's commission of inquiry in to ZC that was talked about just after the dissolving of the technical team? what were the findings and recommendations? was it ever published?

Still ongoing...

[Kriterion_BD]

Doubt it will work. It will just mean the ZC will steal on a controlled basis.

[Jemisi]

It will work better, I think. Without knowing the debt details it is hard to judge but the controls everyone has been calling for are more present than they have been and without a suspension.

Not a total victory for anyone but perhaps a step in the right direction.

[TapsC]

Well if the ICC is paying people directly then this is kind of a win. This is where a players union would work well.I think there is more to this. The ICC surely knows more but they wont expose them.

I wonder how many of these guys will stick around if they dont control the money. They will probably start organizing bogus tours to Kenya or Nepal where they will inflate costs.

Secondly cricinfo kind of confirms that BT and co were not dropped but they opted not to play. I dont think Chawaguta was lying there. If that is the case and the ICC has just done this then I dont get what exactly they are boycotting at this point. The board doesnt control the money anymore

[Jemisi]

There is an easy basis to end the boycott though - money paid for the wages outstanding.

Then get the union sorted and move forward.

[Googly]

So the message is - ok we know you’re incompetent corrupt thieves and we’re onto you, just try and rein it in a little and you can stay where you are and we’ll support you, despite the fact that you have zero support within your own country.

I’m sorry but I don’t understand that.
The message should perhaps at least be-
Let’s see a new constitution that enables a free and fair election of office bearers and let’s see that election process take place right now as it’s apparent that you have eaten your fill for 20 years and nobody supports you.
Then let’s vet the new people to ensure they’re clean and have the right credentials or it’s just going to be more of the same and we need to know thst the millions upon millions are going to be used correctly.

These same people with their wings clipped is NOT a step in the right direction. They’re disgusting people and must go!! We’ve had enough of all of them.

[Googly]

All of these provincial boards that have been created to keep the main board in power must be dismantled. The constitution must be changed. It’s very simple-
No board members should receive any remuneration or perks whatsoever. Not so much as a free lunch. Then let’s see who puts their hands up. How do people that convene once a month or whatever the period is receive more money than players and coaches and groundstaff??
When was the last boycott by board members and “senior” staff because of outstanding wages?? This remains unacceptable.

[TapsC]

https://www.herald.co.zw/dublin-disaste ... t-survive/

More info here. They have actually just cut our funding by 20 million so that they can pay the debt to ZAMCO in 2023. Looks like Van Der Bijl was hired for a reason as he apparently played a big part in the negotiations. This is actually a win for Mukuhlani and co. They were in serious trouble here. I dont know how they are going to get past the audit requirement though because im sure there is dirt there unless the ICC will just look the other way as usual

Elections might be our only hope here. They are a bit vulnerable . If all the players had downed their bats and went to the ICC and demanded an interim board to takeover from now they might have had a chance.