ZC battles to resolve crisis

Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket yesterday said it was working around the clock to address the challenges that have forced some senior players to boycott the domestic league matches in protest over unpaid salaries. The ZC has been battling a liquidity crunch for some time now and have been working with their bankers to try and address the challenges.

Reports also indicate that the ZC could also be in line to receive a US$4 million bailout from the International Cricket Council.

ZC communications manager, Lovemore Banda, said the association was working flat out to address the players’ concerns.

“As the 2013/14 domestic season continues, Mashonaland Eagles were given the points after Mountaineers failed to turn up for the Pro50 match in Mutare on Saturday, while in Kwekwe the match was played with the hosts fielding a depleted side,” Banda said in a statement.

“This was after most of the senior players had refused to play, saying they wanted to be paid their November salaries first. Going into the weekend, the Zimbabwe Cricket managing director, Mr Wilfred Mukondiwa, held a meeting with national team captain Brendan Taylor and some other senior players.

He told them the plans underway to secure their salaries.

“Given the progress ZC had made then to get the money, the expectation was that the players’ salaries would be deposited into their accounts tomorrow (today) and the players were informed accordingly.

“Against that background, management went into the weekend expecting that the players would turn out for their matches.

“Because we remain in discussion with financial institutions over the player salaries, we are unable to actually provide guarantees of specific dates except expectations — which expected dates may not be met if negotiations take longer.

“Our position therefore, which we have communicated to the players, is that we remain committed to paying their November salaries at the earliest possible time, and the rest of what is owed them when our financial position improves.”

The second round of the Logan Cup matches scheduled to begin this morning hang in the balance as the stand-off between the ZC and some senior players is set to continue.

The association failed to honour the deadline yesterday to meet the players’ demands. The players, who talked to The Herald yesterday, said they will continue with the strike to force for the payment of salaries they are owed.

ZC, who are facing financial challenges owe the players varying amounts and had been given up to yesterday to deposit the money into the accounts.

“I don’t think we will be playing because we haven’t received communication yet. There is nothing in the accounts and as things stand there is not going to be any change on the current situation.

“If the games are to go ahead, they will have to field the second string sides,” said one of the players. Mountaineers, who boycotted their Pro50 match at the weekend, are scheduled to host Mashonaland Eagles at Mutare Sports Club while Southern Rocks engage Mid-West Rhinos at Kwekwe Sports Club.

Eagles and Rhinos have lined up second-string sides as the senior players refused to take to the field unless their money was put into their accounts.