ZPCA official statement

The ZPCA, in its capacity as the legitimate representative organ for Zimbabwe's Professional Cricketers, wishes to officially endorse the stand taken by National Captain Taibu and to formally record its support for the same concerns which have led Tatenda to quit Zimbabwe cricket.

The ZPCA constituents are united in support of Tatenda's call for the leadership of Zimbabwe Cricket to stand down in the interests of the survival of the game in Zimbabwe.

The concerns raised in the Player's Statement released on 10 November have not been addressed by ZC. In addition, ZC has failed to deal with the Provincial Chairmen's List of Governance issues and their questions related to ZC Finances. In the time since the Player Statement, there has been a further deterioration in the standing of cricket, with a series of threats to Taibu and others, and the involvement of the RBZ in investigating cricket. Cricket results on the recent tours of India and South Africa and at the U19 Tournament have shown that cricket continues to suffer.

Over the same period, ZC has made no discernible effort to deal with the issues we have highlighted. In fact, ZC have either played down player concerns, ignored them or accused players of being the agents of other forces. Such responses insult the players, implying they are not sufficiently intelligent or committed to think for themselves. When Taibu retired, making clear in his statement he could not continue because of factors on and off the pitch, ZC's response was to belittle his concerns by suggesting he is greedy, and motivated only by financial considerations.

The ZPCA has regrettably concluded in the light of ZC's response to the recent opportunities they have been given to resolve the player crisis that no genuine will exists on ZC's part to confront this unsustainable situation, which has culminated in Taibu's retirement, and that of Streak before him.

In the light of the continued failure by ZC to address the crisis in the game, ZPCA wish to re-affirm its call for the suspension of ZC leadership and an urgent investigation into the affairs of cricket, in order that the long term viability of the game can be assessed, and Zimbabwe's professional players can be satisfied that cricket remains a viable career choice. Until that happens, no guarantee can be given by ZPCA that any professional cricketer will be prepared to make himself available to play national cricket.

THE ZPCA
Harare
November 28, 2005