|
Zimbabwe Cricket have implemented drastic cost-saving measures,
including playing the second Test against Pakistan in Harare instead of
travelling to Bulawayo, to ensure the remainder of the series goes ahead
as planned. Other measures could include ensuring the players are paid
this week, as agreed, but it will likely be at the expense of
administration staff.
Sources revealed the second Test, due to start next Tuesday, was "99%
confirmed," for Harare Sports Club on Tuesday evening and that the
groundstaff and match referee all agreed to that. But the switch was
announced over the loudspeaker at Harare Sports Club, where the first
Test was being played, to loud cheers. The official reason given was
that Queens Club was "not in a condition to host the Test". That means
the entire Pakistan series, consisting of two Twenty20s, three ODIs and
two Tests will be staged on the same ground and ZC would save close to
US$50,000 on travel costs and hotel fees in the process.
Most of the Zimbabwe players are based in Harare, which would mean they
could continue to stay at home, rather than in paid accommodation in
Bulawayo. The money required to drive them and the television crew down
would also be saved.
"We enjoy playing here in Harare. The conditions are good for both the
batsmen and the bowlers. It's a good move and the guys are happy,"
batsman Malcolm Waller said after the second day's play of the first
Test.
The only loser in such a situation would be Bulawayo's Queens Club,
which has not seen a Test match since 2011, when New Zealand beat
Zimbabwe there. The country has hosted three Tests since then, including
the current one against Pakistan, all at the Harare Sports Club.
Bulawayo has recently made attempts to create a more lively pitch,
relaying the clay on three surfaces on the square but they will have to
wait, perhaps until next year to try them out.
Zimbabwe's other proposed incoming tour was the one by Sri Lanka next
month, comprising two Tests, three ODIs and two Twenty20s, but ZC have
requested this be postponed. Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed they received
an email from ZC citing "unavoidable circumstances" have led to them
seeking alternative dates for the series. ESPNcricinfo has since learned
ZC are considering proposing a shortened tour of only five T20s to Sri
Lanka but the SLC have not had communication to that effect.
Zimbabwe's ability to host more international cricket in 2013 will
depend heavily on the cost of organisation. A severe cash-flow problem
has affected the union through the year and it seems unlikely to be
solved soon. In April, players threatened to strike during the series
against Bangladesh because those who were not on central contracts were
offered allowances which they deemed unsatisfactory. Since then, the
threats have intensified.
Before the Pakistan series, the players formed a union - the first of
its kind in a decade - and did not train in protest after not being
paid. They gave ZC various ultimatums which put the possibility of the
whole tour, then the third ODI and then the Test series at risk. Each
time, they agreed to play after ZC promised payment.
Monies have still not been transferred and the players have set another
deadline of Friday this week. They are adamant they will boycott the
second Test if they do not receive their outstanding dues, which include
salaries from July and August and match fees. While ZC have stated
publicly that they are in talks with their banker, it has since been
established they will struggle to meet the demand.
Their only solution has been to inform staff, apparently in an email,
that they will not be paid salaries from August. Any available funds
will then be paid to the players. ZC staff contracts expired at the end
of August and the body is in negotiations to renew them but has not done
so to date. Staff are still working, though, despite the uncertainty.
Steven Price is a freelance journalist
Feeds: Steven Price
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
No comments:
Post a Comment