Zimbabwe World Cup stars Andy Flower and Henry Olonga launched a protest on Monday against the worsening famine and violence which is tearing their country apart.
As their team launched their World Cup campaign against Namibia in Harare, the duo, who have decided to wear black armbands as a sign of their anger throughout the six week tournament, issued an emotional statement criticising the conditions in the country.
In the statement, they protest about what they describe as the ”death of democracy.”
”We are deeply distressed about what is taking place in Zimbabwe amidst the World Cup and do not feel that we can take the field without indicating our feelings,” they said.
”We cannot in good conscience ignore the fact that millions of our compatriots are starving, unemployed and oppressed.
”We are aware that hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans may even die in the coming months through a combination of starvation, poverty and Aids.
”We are aware that many people have been unjustly imprisoned and tortured simply for expressing their opinions about what is happening in the country.
”We have heard a torrent of racist hate speech directed at minority groups. We are aware that thousands of Zimbabweans are routinely denied their right to freedom of expression.
”We are also aware that people have been murdered, raped, beaten and had their homes destroyed because of their beliefs and that many of those responsible have not been prosecuted.”
Former skipper Flower and fast bowler Olonga issued the statement as the row over a potential boycott by the England team of its match here on Thursday dragged on. A decision over whether or not Nasser Hussain’s men will play the game is expected to be made in Cape Town later on Monday.
”Although we are just professional cricketers we do have a conscience and feelings,” continued Flower and Olonga. ”We believe that if we remain silent, that will be taken as a sign that either we do not care or we condone what is happening in Zimbabwe.
”We are acting alone, without other members of the team being involved because our decision is deeply personal. We did not want to use our senior status to influence the junior members of the squad.”
The 34-year-old Flower, who plays with brother Grant in the team, is officially rated in the world’s top 10 and has enjoyed that status for several years. His Test average is 53 and just under 35 in 205 internationals where he has made almost 6 500 runs with a highest score of 145 against India at the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka last year.
Olonga (26) was the first black player to be brought into the Zimbabwe team making his debut in 1995. Since then, he has played in 48 one-dayers taking 57 wickets and can boast the best ever figures by a Zimbabwean bowler with 6-19 against England in 2000. – Sapa-AFP