Enough, Zimbabwe!

Sadly, I think it’s time for the ICC to suspend Zimbabwe from all international cricket competition. Mugabe’s conduct in running the country has finally, in my opinion, made it untenable for any side to play cricket there. The ICC, of course, is going to do no such thing.

In the past I’ve supported Zimbabwean cricket’s right to remain on the world stage, acknowledging the complexity of political and commercial interests that have bound the ICC and its members. But how, really, can we continue to justify sending teams to play in a country whose fabric is being torn to shreds by a reckless and deluded president, who just happens to also be Patron of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union? The “Drive Out Rubbish” program is, for me, the last straw. Continue reading “Enough, Zimbabwe!”

Congratulations Bangladesh!

^BAN_ZIM: 64.2 Enamul Haque jnr to Mpofu, OUT: Allover! tosses up, outside off and spins away, tries to defends it on the front foot, gets the outside edge and Ashraful takes a good sharp catch at silly point
^BAN_ZIM: Zimbabwe 154/10, Partnership of 9
^BAN_ZIM: CB Mpofu c Mohammad Ashraful b Enamul Haque jnr 5 (9b 1×4 0x6)
^BAN_ZIM: DT Hondo 6* (12b 1×4) Enamul Haque jnr 22.2-5-45-6 (4nb)
^BAN_ZIM: That’s it, Bangladesh won this match by 226 runs
^BAN_ZIM: Bangladesh have made history – a first Test win after a long wait

(Text commentary from Wisden CricInfo. Full transcript)

Congratulations Bangladesh on their first Test victory.

Bangladesh on the brink of history

As I write this, Bangladesh are four wickets away from their first-ever Test win. It might be tempting to think that a win over a youthful Zimbabwean eleven cheapens the honour a bit, but I for one am not going to scoff at that. Cricket should be expanding its constituency, not clinging on to an exclusive post-imperial elite club. As with the inauguration of the ICC Intercontinental Cup last year, a Bangladesh Test win can only be a positive in expanding the game’s horizons.

Zimbabwe currently 126/6 in their second innings in the pre-lunch session on day five. Live ball-by-ball commentary on IRC at irc://cricinfo.lo.uk.starlink.org/cricket. Live scorecard at CricInfo or, if that’s getting a bit overloaded while the charity game in Melbourne is on, Ananova

John Howard’s Great Moments in Sport 2003

The crowning achievement of self-styled sports fanatic and Australian Prime Minister John Howard in 2003 came at the final of the Rugby World Cup in November. After the Wallabies lost an exhilarating game on an extra-time field goal, JH looked like he was going to burst into tears as he handed out the winners’ medals to a seemingly endless line of England players and staff. Continue reading “John Howard’s Great Moments in Sport 2003”