On Behalf of the Fans
Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 3:23 am
Dear board and players of Zimbabwe Cricket
I write to you on behalf of the fans of Zimbabwe Cricket.
Back in 2003/04 Zimbabwe Cricket witness its biggest shake up. It was one that rocked Cricket in our beautiful country to its core. Since the drama of the infamous incident, Zimbabwe Cricket has been on a downward spiral. We have endured 3 of the top 10 lowest ever ODI scores, one of which is the lowest ever. We were subjected to a self imposed exile from international test cricket. We have also witnessed domestic cricket die in Zimbabwe. As fans, we watched on as talented players left our shores due to lack of opportunity. We witnessed our board and their players constantly engage in bickering and low end calling of racism. All of these issues came to a head on the 22nd March 2018, when Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the Cricket World Cup, and also giving the UAE their first ever win over a test playing nation.
The aftermath was horrific. Coaches and technical staff were fired across the spectrum. Players began to question their futures, and above all, fans felt the heart break and pain. As fans were left reeling, the usual incompetence began its monthly staging at ZC. It quickly became clear that those in charge of the game no longer, and have never, had the best interests of the game at heart.
A haphazard T20 tri series was arranged, and a ODI series was put in place. Unfortunately, there was no cricket to be played before this so another sham domestic competition staged. The team that went on to win the Pro50 Domestic competition had it's programme and structure scrapped just a few weeks before by the ZC board, who later wanted to claim credit for the teams win. The players began to set up a players union, one that every single test playing nation has, but again this was quashed as the players have never been deemed important.
As fans we understand that for many, playing cricket is a livelihood. One that they cannot throw away. We fully support the players, and they will always have our backing. As fans, our allegiance lies not with the colour of the skin, but with the badge they represent. To represent Zimbabwe Cricket has always meant the value of hard work, determined ethic, unwavering team work, steely determination, and a constant desire to win.
Yesterday, as we watched our team embarrassed by 201 runs against Pakistan, another sinking feeling crept in to every single fan, and we have had enough. The time for bickering, fighting, and arguing is over. Our best player currently sit on the sidelines. Our young players have no guidance and leadership. We have members of the team who do not deserve to wear the kit abusing their names and their status. The board consistently sits idly by and continually allows the rot of our game, and as fans we have no choice but to endure as Zimbabwe is constantly subjected to ridicule and embarrassment on an international stage. We demand change.
The list of problems within ZC is endless and so we shall not dwell. We support the players and understand their concerns. The past cannot be changed, but the future can be shaped. We plea with the board and the players to put their differences behind for one simple cause, that of the Zimbabwe badge.
We ask that you come together as a unit and work to address the problems. We ask that you engage with your fans and create a transparent running and structure within Zimbabwe Cricket. We ask that you no longer engage is trivial racism and name calling, and instead work together to ensure the betterment of the Zimbabwe squad. We demand a proper and fully organised domestic season. We demand the forming of a players union. We ask that all corrupt and incompetent members be removed from their roles. We demand that members of the board be those with cricketing knowledge.
To the players, we ask that you stand united as a unit. No race, creed or tribe divides you. You are united under the same cause and the same badge. We understand your concerns and support them, but we ask that you understand the impact of your actions on the game as a whole. Any strike has a detrimental effect to the squad and the development of the game. Please do not let personal agendas overtake the main cause for your initial concern. The underlying effect is felt by your fellow members who are subjected to huge and disappointing defeats on the field, and above all, by the fans who support you day in day out from within Zimbabwe and across the globe.
We stand by you at the ground singing and chanting. We stay up till 5am from countries as far as New Zealand to watch you, our national team. We support your every ball and every shot. We wave our flag with gusto, and wear the Zimbabwe shirt proudly. Our support never waivers.
The time for name calling, bickering, divisions, infighting, and constant destruction needs to end. Please come together as one and work through the differences so that we no longer have to endure another 14 years of constant pain, regret, and heart ache.
Yours Sincerely
The Fans
I write to you on behalf of the fans of Zimbabwe Cricket.
Back in 2003/04 Zimbabwe Cricket witness its biggest shake up. It was one that rocked Cricket in our beautiful country to its core. Since the drama of the infamous incident, Zimbabwe Cricket has been on a downward spiral. We have endured 3 of the top 10 lowest ever ODI scores, one of which is the lowest ever. We were subjected to a self imposed exile from international test cricket. We have also witnessed domestic cricket die in Zimbabwe. As fans, we watched on as talented players left our shores due to lack of opportunity. We witnessed our board and their players constantly engage in bickering and low end calling of racism. All of these issues came to a head on the 22nd March 2018, when Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the Cricket World Cup, and also giving the UAE their first ever win over a test playing nation.
The aftermath was horrific. Coaches and technical staff were fired across the spectrum. Players began to question their futures, and above all, fans felt the heart break and pain. As fans were left reeling, the usual incompetence began its monthly staging at ZC. It quickly became clear that those in charge of the game no longer, and have never, had the best interests of the game at heart.
A haphazard T20 tri series was arranged, and a ODI series was put in place. Unfortunately, there was no cricket to be played before this so another sham domestic competition staged. The team that went on to win the Pro50 Domestic competition had it's programme and structure scrapped just a few weeks before by the ZC board, who later wanted to claim credit for the teams win. The players began to set up a players union, one that every single test playing nation has, but again this was quashed as the players have never been deemed important.
As fans we understand that for many, playing cricket is a livelihood. One that they cannot throw away. We fully support the players, and they will always have our backing. As fans, our allegiance lies not with the colour of the skin, but with the badge they represent. To represent Zimbabwe Cricket has always meant the value of hard work, determined ethic, unwavering team work, steely determination, and a constant desire to win.
Yesterday, as we watched our team embarrassed by 201 runs against Pakistan, another sinking feeling crept in to every single fan, and we have had enough. The time for bickering, fighting, and arguing is over. Our best player currently sit on the sidelines. Our young players have no guidance and leadership. We have members of the team who do not deserve to wear the kit abusing their names and their status. The board consistently sits idly by and continually allows the rot of our game, and as fans we have no choice but to endure as Zimbabwe is constantly subjected to ridicule and embarrassment on an international stage. We demand change.
The list of problems within ZC is endless and so we shall not dwell. We support the players and understand their concerns. The past cannot be changed, but the future can be shaped. We plea with the board and the players to put their differences behind for one simple cause, that of the Zimbabwe badge.
We ask that you come together as a unit and work to address the problems. We ask that you engage with your fans and create a transparent running and structure within Zimbabwe Cricket. We ask that you no longer engage is trivial racism and name calling, and instead work together to ensure the betterment of the Zimbabwe squad. We demand a proper and fully organised domestic season. We demand the forming of a players union. We ask that all corrupt and incompetent members be removed from their roles. We demand that members of the board be those with cricketing knowledge.
To the players, we ask that you stand united as a unit. No race, creed or tribe divides you. You are united under the same cause and the same badge. We understand your concerns and support them, but we ask that you understand the impact of your actions on the game as a whole. Any strike has a detrimental effect to the squad and the development of the game. Please do not let personal agendas overtake the main cause for your initial concern. The underlying effect is felt by your fellow members who are subjected to huge and disappointing defeats on the field, and above all, by the fans who support you day in day out from within Zimbabwe and across the globe.
We stand by you at the ground singing and chanting. We stay up till 5am from countries as far as New Zealand to watch you, our national team. We support your every ball and every shot. We wave our flag with gusto, and wear the Zimbabwe shirt proudly. Our support never waivers.
The time for name calling, bickering, divisions, infighting, and constant destruction needs to end. Please come together as one and work through the differences so that we no longer have to endure another 14 years of constant pain, regret, and heart ache.
Yours Sincerely
The Fans
