England’s cricketers are to issue a public statement on Monday highlighting their growing ”concern on moral grounds” about the crisis in Zimbabwe where they are due to play next month.
Nasser Hussain, the captain, has told the team management that the entire 15-strong squad are opposed to fulfilling a World Cup fixture in Harare on 13 February because so many Zimbabweans are suffering under the regime of Robert Mugabe.
It is understood the cricketers wish to make it clear they do not want to play, but feel they have no choice.
Richard Bevan, head of the Professional Cricketers Association, said yesterday that his colleagues were increasingly reluctant and would spell out their views in the statement.
Some have become ”deeply troubled” that their presence will hand Mugabe a propaganda victory.
The statement is expected to call for the match to be moved to South Africa amid growing concerns for the personal safety of the players, who have received ”threatening” letters. Violent protests are feared.
Bevan demanded that all six World Cup matches due to be held in Zimbabwe, and the two in Kenya, be relocated. ”The concerns are significant,” he said. ”We can see the problem escalating.”
”The matches should have been moved to South Africa and compensation paid to Zimbabwe and Kenya from the $500-million sponsorship to stop the political issues overshadowing the tournament,” he added.
UK newspaper The Observer understands that Bevan was ”very disappointed” that the England and Wales Cricket Board did not raise concerns about the Harare game when the ICC board held a teleconference last Friday. – Guardian Unlimited