ECB cut ties with Zimbabwe cricket

Date released: 26 June 2008

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that it is suspending all bilateral arrangements with Zimbabwe Cricket.

This means the Zimbabwe's scheduled tour to England in 2009 has been cancelled.

In a statement the ECB it: "...deplores the position in Zimbabwe and, like Cricket South Africa, finds this untenable."

South Africa, previously one of Zimbabwe's supporters in cricket, have also suspended their bilateral links.

Zimbabwe were due to play two Tests and three one-day internationals in England from around May 2009.

The decision also puts Zimbabwe's participation in the 2009 ICC Twenty20 World Cup (also in England, with the Final at Lord's) in doubt.

At present Zimbabwe are part of the ICC (International Cricket Council) and have a right to take part in international tournaments.

MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture

Watch a clip of Dr Tutu's lecture At the recent MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture, delivered by The Most Reverend Dr Desmond Tutu earlier this month - the topic of Zimbabwe was discussed.

In his lecture, the Archbishop talked about the apartheid regime in South Africa - and how cricket staged their protests against it.

Richards: 'Cricket can play a part' - Click to watch a clip Former South Africa batsman and Sky TV pundit, Barry Richards was part of the Q&A panel, after the lecture.

He too discussed Zimbabwe saying: "What he [Robert Mugabe] is doing, everybody knows it's not right. Cricket can play a part [in stopping it]."

England and Middlesex batsman Andrew Strauss, was also on the Q&A panel, hosted by Mark Nicholas.

Strauss: Says players would have considered thier own boycott -
Click to watch a clip Nicholas asked, if no wider action was taken, would England players consider their own boycott of Zimbabwe?

"There was a general feeling our last tour to Zimbabwe shouldn't have gone ahead." Strauss said.

"If it came to it [boycotting Zimbabwe] it's something we, as players, would have to look at."

Following the ECB's decision, it would appear it is not a decision Strauss or his England team-mates will now have to make.