Sunday, July 17, 2005



A gentlemen's game

many have suggested the Black Caps show their disapproval of the Mugabe regime while on tour - for example, by wearing black armbands exactly as Henry Olonga did. But as Rod Donald points out, this could cost the players their cricketing careers: the ICC's clothing and equipment regulations bar any political messages, on pain of suspension from international play and a US$25,000 fine.

Why do they do this? Because cricket is "a gentleman's game". And calling a murderous thug a murderous thug would be ungentlemanly...

5 comments:

If you want to do the right thing in a situation like this someone has to pay the price in the end.

That could be the ICC or Sneddon or the players or cricket supporters or the government or someone else.

Or they can just stand in a circle pointing fingers at eachother.

Posted by Anonymous : 7/17/2005 10:29:00 PM

A speech by Stephen Fleming after a match which expresses NZ's condemnation of the regime would be an option. I doubt it would put the players at any real danger, not even Mugabe wouldbe stupid enough to give the world a clear mandate for military action.

Posted by Anonymous : 7/17/2005 10:47:00 PM

Like many New Zealanders, I am willing to throw money into a pot to help pay any resulting financial costs. But there's no pot to throw stuff into yet...

I think it needs to be made clear to NZC and the players that while we don't want them to go, if they can't get out of it, and want to do anything over there which would salvage some of their honour, then we will back them. If someone gets fined for making an "ungentlemanly" political statement, then we will pay it for them.

Posted by Idiot/Savant : 7/18/2005 01:14:00 AM

Let's follow this through logically.

The Black Caps announce they will speak against Mugabe while there. Martin Snedden, and security consultants they will need to be "careful" in what they do - or risk reaction from Mugabe.

Does this constitute a security risk - and a "get out of Zimbabwe tour free card".

Idiot - do you know how economic sanctions are implemented? Is it legislation, or is there provision in cabinet regulations. Professional sport is an industry...

Posted by Matt : 7/18/2005 10:07:00 AM

what's more important Stephen Fleming's job or the respect of the younger Black Cap fans who abhor the evil in Zimbabwe?

Posted by Anonymous : 7/21/2005 10:53:00 PM