South Africa take Zimbabwe stance

Cricket South Africa has cut its ties with Zimbabwe Cricket until further notice.

Zimbabwe is currently in the midst of political turmoil after Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the opposition MDC, pulled out of the run-off against Robert Mugabe in the presidential election.

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union were last year incorporated into the South African domestic structure and took part in the limited overs and Twenty20 championships as part of efforts to help the country rebuild their game after years of infighting.

The decision by Cricket South Africa follows a board meeting last week in which Zimbabwe was high on the agenda.

CSA president Norman Arendse said in a statement: “In the light of the worsening situation in Zimbabwe, CSA has reviewed its position in relation to Zimbabwe cricket. We have decided to suspend our bi-lateral agreements with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union until further notice.

“In the past, CSA has defended Zimbabwe cricket against heavy odds, but the general situation in Zimbabwe has now made this untenable.

“We will continue to comply with the International Cricket Council’s future tours programme regarding Zimbabwe, as we are bound to this programme as a full member of the ICC.

“However, CSA will suspend its bi-lateral agreements with ZCU, which includes development and administrative programmes, and the participation of Zimbabwe teams in CSA’s domestic competitions.”