Online Reporter
Guest Writer
FOLLOWING his absence in the Chevrons’ recently concluded international assignments, Zimbabwe senior men’s national cricket team’s star all-rounder, Sean Williams is, reportedly, to have checked himself into a rehabilitation facility.
The 39 year veteran all-rounder, who is one of Zimbabwe’s finest ever cricketers is said to have gotten wind that he is one of the players who are likely to have been tested by anti-doping agents and that is why he had to leave the national team camp just before a crucial assignment for Zimbabwe.
Williams was part of the Chevrons squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, which took place in Harare earlier this month. A close source confirmed that the veteran all-rounder did train with the team, building up to the tournament, however, suddenly left the camp.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) said he had been released “due to personal circumstance,” with the “release” coming on the eve of the Chevrons’ opener against Uganda at Harare Sports Club.
“He did train with the team building up to the tournament. He was there but I understand that he got wind that he will likely be tested and that’s when he left camp. I understand that he was asked to continue training but he disappeared. I’m not sure on the rehabilitation part because no one knows what kind of “substance” he took but I understand he was avoiding testing,” said a source.
According to the source, this has also happened in the past.
“(Givemore) Makoni was disappointed. I understand that he was saying that Williams let them down and dropped them in their hour of need,” the source said.
The source further confirmed that they want to see how ZC will handle the Williams because of the precedence they set with how they handled the Wessly Madhevere issue.
“It’s not a secret that both our administrators and fans view things from racial prism, therefore the fans want to see if ZC will issue an official statement without throwing innuendos but state that William’s is battling a drug addiction.
“When Wessly was banned for taking a recreational drug, ZC released a statement to that effect, so why don’t they do that as well.”
Williams, who has been a mainstay of Zimbabwean cricket for a long time, is one of the longest serving players in international cricket at the moment, with a career spanning over two decades.
His international debut came on February 25, 2005. Since his debut, only two players, Hamilton Masakadza and Sikandar Raza, have been capped more times for Zimbabwe and only one, Brendan Taylor, has scored more runs.
Williams has played against 28 international teams in 17 countries. Only two other players — Kenya’s Collins Obuya and Ireland’s Paul Stirling — have been up against more opposition.
