It's great to see that the English Cricket Squad have as much understanding of foreign affairs as they do of winning test matches. To witness Nassar Hussein warble and rant about his younger players not having the time (or the inclination) to learn about Mugabe was risible. Poor, overworked things...all they ever think about is cricket, cricket and more cricket...it's about time they stopped thinking about it and learned to play it then. Then to see Nassar blaming the ECB for not making up the minds of those beneath them concerning the sticky-wicket of Zimbabwe's human-rights record was, frankly, ridiculous. Presumably Nassar hadn't read the 'W. C. Grace Book of Cricket Hierarchy' as he hadn't noticed that the rest of the squad fell beneath his own jurisdiction as well.
Incidentally, John Howard, speaking on behalf of the Australian Cricket Bastards...er...sorry...Board...said that they would only go to Zimbabwe if everyone else were going. Stunted, shilly-shallying twat. Off with his googlies, that's what I say...if he's got any.
And so the farce grows...as it does with every cricket season. And what it all boils down to is money and/or points. Without the match, political assertions aside, the English Cricket Board would almost go bankrupt. (What...no more tea and scones and cucumber sandwiches in the long room?) And, seeing as the rest of the cricketing nations have all decided to pull out of the Zimbabwe trip, this should be an ideal opportunity for England to finally notch up a couple of hard-earned points. Let's face it...we're going to need them.
The greatest, most purple, most throbbing hypocrisy of all though, is that the British Government is making such a big deal out of this, accusing the ECB of being irresponsible. Why hypocritical? Well, because the government refuses to do anything about the situation itself. No sanctions have been imposed on Zimbabwe. No steps have been taken towards 'A regime change' (not enough oil wells obviously). Absolutely bugger all has been done either militarily or diplomatically, apart from various M.P.s jeering at a group of sportsmen who are hoping that, due to their opponents starving, they might stand a chance at winning for once. Not much of a chance, it must be said, but with a bit of luck even Zimbabwe might forfeit the game on moral issues.
