Zimbabwe withdraw from World Twenty20

Date released: 4 July 2008

Zimbabwe's Cricket Union have agreed to withdraw from the 2009 World Twenty20, to be staged in England, 'in the wider interest of cricket' - aleviating fears the event may have to be relocated.

At the ICC (International Cricket Council) meeting in Dubai, the topic of Zimbabwe's participation in cricket was high on the agenda. At the end of June the cricket boards of both South Africa and England severed their bilateral agreements with Zimbabwe Cricket, due to Zimbabwe Cricket's close links to Robert Mugabe's regime.

The ECB (England & Wales Cricket Board), backed by the British Goverment, cancelled Zimbabwe's proposed tour of England in 2009.

However, Zimbabwe are still members of ICC and as such are entitled to enter all ICC tournaments, including the 2009 World Twenty20, set to be staged in England, with Lord's as the venue for both the opening ceremony and Final.

Zimbabwe's withdrawal, thought to have come after pressure from other cricketing boards, does indeed protect the 'wider interest of cricket' as their participation could have brought with it the spector of possible boycotts or player strikes.

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