UK Government breaks promise on Zimbabwe

It is apt timing that on the day when a lawyer representing the British Government admits in court, referring to the abandoned promise for a referendum on the EU Constitution, that "manifesto pledges are not subject to legitimate expectation", it should turn out that Gordon Brown's tough language on Zimbabwe was also bulls*** and bravado.

A month ago it was revealed that Downing Street was discussing the Zimbabwe situation with the ECB. It was spun that the Government would take the decision out of the ECB's hands and bar the Zimbabwe cricket team from touring in 2009, although there was speculation that the ban would be bent to allow Zimbabwe to compete in the World Twenty20.

Yet in a debate in the House of Lords yesterday, that noted cricket-lover Bill Morris called for a sporting boycott of Zimbabwe, saying that we should copy the tough stance of John Howard, the former Australian PM. However, the response of Lord Malloch-Brown, the Foreign Office minister, appeared to signal a softening of the Government's position.

"The Foreign Secretary ... have made it clear that we do not encourage the England and Wales Cricket Board to allow Zimbabwe to tour England in 2009 or England to tour Zimbabwe in 2012 if the situation in the country is as it is now," he said. "We continue to speak to the ECB about these issues but it remains a decision for the board. We have decided that the Government can make their position clear, but that it is not for us to intervene directly in this matter."

In other words, the buck is being passed back to the ECB. I'm sure they must be delighted. Not least because without an official ban by the Government, the ECB would cop a fine from the ICC if they decide to cancel the tour. Will the Government use our money to underwrite that fine?

Of course, Pillock-Brown could have just made one of his famous cock-ups. He has already made a few gaffes since taking his job last year, including saying that Britain and America were no longer joined at the hip, that Britain should hold talks with Hamas and Hezbollah and that Tony Blair was wrong to publish a dossier (even if it was dodgy) setting out the reasons for going to war with Iraq.

Comments

[Mr Popodopolous]

I would like to see Zimbabwe banned from touring in 2009.

The problem is the possible loss of the ICC 20/20 and all the revenue that would be lost...if the Government took a neutral stance and the ECB cancelled the tour, the financial consequences of the tour being cancelled and 20/20 could be very bad for the ECB.

[Ann]

Well, I have managed to 'turn' an American I know into a huge cricket fan. In return, I have been offered real-time explanations of the subtleties of baseball (on the box only, so far). Can't say I am ready to switch my allegiance quite yet, and it's unlikely ever to happen - I love cricket far too much for that - but I can glimpse what Americans see in baseball. And I don't think most Americans fail to understand their national game - that's a completely unnecessary, untrue and patronising comment.

[Garry]

My Response
Great perspective with the mix of baseball/cricket similarities John! I also often think of similarities between, not only baseball and cricket, but among sports as a whole. What strikes me is discussions of all the off the field/grounds extra-curricula activities rather than discussions of the competition itself. Examples include the use of steroids, interest in cockfighting, illegally filming an opponents practices, the incompetence of umpires, the use of racial slurs, sledging, etc. It is quite sad and sometimes overwhelming. Back when I was in school (during the Ice Age), we mainly just discussed the competition, e.g., are we good enough to beat this team or that team. I can just imagine the discussions taking place in the hallways of today’s schools – “Do you think ___ took steroids?”, “Do you think ____ is a racial slur?”, etc. I know our sports radio talk show hosts just love this stuff because it gives them something to talk about but as a purist fan (or “supporter” for my Aussie mates), I just hate it, but, alas, there is nothing I can do about it. What I try to do is to avoid all discussions of the “soap opera” stuff, and just concentrate on the on the field/grounds activities. Unfortunately, most of the time, that endeavor is near impossible.

[John Jorrocks]

Garry,
I don't think Patrick would mind references to baseball in a cricketing blog. He is boundlessly tolerant. I'm sure he'd agree that Americans who truly grasp baseball ( a minority, alas: most people are "fans") are equally likely to appreciate the subtleties of cricket. It works the other way too: I offer myself as an example.
I feel as you do about the Rocket. The greatest pitcher of his generation? I think not. My candidate is the marvellously subtle and cerebral Greg Maddux (the cricket equivalent would be some combination of McGrath and Bishen Bedi).
An Indian writer named Mukul Kesavan has just published a fine book on Indian cricket: it is called Men in White. I'm afraid he is predictably patronising about baseball. In his introduction, he says that Stephen Jay Gould was a Yankees fan, when we all know that, like Salinger, Gould was a passionate BoSox fan.
Don't let anyone tell you that a passion for baseball is incompatible with a love of cricket. This is the most banal cliche.

[Garry (Colorado Springs)]

Gday John! At the risk of facing Patrick’s wrath for discussing baseball in a cricket blog (when you think about it, it is kind of blasphemous), I’m never lacking a response to questions on Seppo sports. Regarding Roger Clemens, yes, I believe he took injections of HGH, yes, I believe he lied to Congress about it, and yes, I hope is charged and convicted of lying to Congress and spends a few years in jail. And yes, the fact he chose to leave my beloved Boston Red Sox many years ago to get bigger money from the “Evil Empire” (the New York Yankees) is the reason for my vindictiveness. Regarding your question on Pedro, I didn’t even know about it until you brought it up. No, I do not believe he should be punished for attending a legal cockfight in the Dominican Republic. Of course, I’m sure the PC police would disagree with me on that. Cheers!

[John Jorrocks]

Any chance of N Hussain getting a look in on this subject? Should an English side play cricket with Zimbabwe? Can sport really be above politics? What does that mean, in any case? Remember Basil D'Oliveira? And Steven Speilberg (sp.?) has just disengaged himself from the Beijing Olympics. Should the ECB have to decide on these issues?
Speaking for myself, we should have nothing whatsoever to do with Mugabe's country. If you are a Zimbabwean cricketer, that would be bad news for you. But, alas, that is the way the world works, and that is the price you pay for your citizenship. There is no question that it is unfair to innocent individuals. But how else should the sporting world show its revulsion for the thuggery of Mugabe and his gang?
Cheers, Garry. What do you think? Is Clemens a cheat? Should Pedro Martinez be punished for his enthusiasm for cock-fighting?

[Andrew Nixon]

Patrick

I can inform you that Israel do at least play cricket, though not all that successfully. They have been the whipping boys in most ICC Trophy and European Championship tournaments.

They've attracted protest in the past. At the 1997 ICC Trophy, when they became one of the few (maybe only) Israeli sports teams to play in a Muslim country (Malaysia) they attracted various protests, causing one match to be abandoned because the protesters thought Israel were playing.

More recently, they played in Scotland in 2006 and were met with several protests, causing a match against Jersey to be abandoned and one match to be played under armed guard at RAF Lossiemouth.

They have now been relegated to European Division Three after losing to Croatia in the first international played in Israel last November. See here for a report: http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES/articles/000059/005938.shtml

[Patrick Kidd]

Ann, As you'll know from the torrents of abuse directed at me over Bucknor-gate, I try not to moderate any comments, but let's try to stick to cricket-related topics. As far as I know, Israel and Palestine are not all that keen on cricket (although some research on that would fill a dull afternoon and may well appear here soon) so let's just agree that both sides of that row have their fair share of twits.

On the Hamas issue, I'd argue that there is probably a balance. You do talk to such people, you just don't admit you are talking to them. And you certainly don't "hold" talks with them. That's what we did with the IRA anyway.

[Ann]

I don't know where BJ gets his information from, but UN 242 did not 'require' anyone to return to any 'frontiers' willy nilly, let alone the 1967 ones. It required the Arab countries to give Israel cast iron guarantees of security first of all. Since several Arab countries, including Syria on Israel's border, are still in a declared state of war with Israel, that has not happened.

The 'people of Britain' as a people, as distinct from various lots of rent-a-mob, are not anti-American, and I would thank you not to speak for all of us.

Hamas may be 'democratically' elected (although that is doubtful, given the violent intimidation and extra-judicial killings (aka murders) of suspected (!) 'collaborators'). So what? Hitler was democratically elected. Hamas is waging war by means of rockets on peaceful Israeli citizens. You don't talk to such people. But Patrick will probably moderate my post if I tell you what fair-minded people would do to such people instead.

[Patrick Kidd]

Garry,
The smartest words written here in many a while. I take a very inclusive view of politics and religion: people can believe what they like and express them so long as they don't overly criticise others for disagreeing. Some of the abuse that gets left on blogs (all blogs) is wearying, but generally everyone is reading this page because they love cricket so let everything else be a sideshow.

And let's remember, it's the French and Scots (politically) and the Australians (sportswise) who are the real enemies of the English.

[Garry (Colorado Springs)]

I read “Line and Length” regularly as I’m an American trying to learn the game of Cricket. I also figured this might be one place where I wouldn’t see any anti-American comments. I guess I was wrong, huh? I’m not going to go into all the details on why I disagree with Bertie Johnston. Regarding the statement the people of Britain are now more “anti-American than they have ever been”, I cannot comfortably say Americans feel the same way about the British people. As an American of Irish heritage, however, I would say I and many Americans like me might have good reason to dislike all things English for centuries of …. (let’s say “disagreements”). In fact, I will say I’ve gotten past all that and I have great admiration, respect, and gratitude for the people of Britain. So, Brits are anti-American, huh? Well, it is what it is and I guess we can’t do anything about it. Back to Cricket now, eh?

[Bertie Johnston]

Many thanks for your comment. I take back my criticism unreservedly. Just hope you get more response to your writing.

[Patrick Kidd]

Bertie,
Thanks for your comments. As you'll read above, all comments are moderated by me and I'm afraid that while I do generally check the blog several times a day, every day of the week, I do occasionally give myself a day off.

I agree with you that it would be better if these things were published straight away, but that's not my decision.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with Malloch-Brown's views on anything other than Zimbabwe. I'm delighted we have a minister who doesn't think before he speaks and says what he means, but I bet his seniors aren't so pleased...

[colin gatenby]

..It would not be cricket to ban Zimbabwe from their tour to England and sport must stand above politics.I am sure the Zimbabwe cricketers despise Mugabe and his tyrannical control of their country.Why should their sport suffer because of one mans rule ?

[Bertie Johnston]

Why is tyhere only one comment here? Are you censoring all other posts? I sent one hours ago that was carefully worded. Why is it not now available to read. What is the use of sending blog comment if it is never printed?

[Bertie Johnston]

Patrick, I agree with you that Gordon Brown has again climbed down when it was the time to show a strong hand. He is devoid of leadership qualities and that is why he never contradicted Tony Blair even when, one suspects, he disagreed with his decisions.

However, you spoilt everything with your last paragraph. All the things you illustrate as "cock ups" show Mallock-Brown to be the opposite of a "Pillock".

After the Bush years the people of Britain, as opposed to the politicians, are more anti-American than they have ever been. The Middle East troubles will never be resolved if Britain does not talk directly to the democratically elected government of Palestine, Hamas, and oblige the different opposing parties to respect the UN Resolution 242 and return to the 1967 frontiers. Also talks have to be held with even extreme organisations such as Hezbollah if peace, so important for the people of the region, is ever to be achieved.

And what about the dodgy dossier. It was a total con on the people of this country and Lord Brown says it as it ought to be said. All respect to him.

[The Hon K Rudd]

What a gutless pillock!

Browny is pillock of the month. I was going to vote for little Johnny and his inability to say s..s..s..orry.

But Gordo takes the cake. Harare - the spiritual home of the ICC.

Let's keep this between you and me please Patrick. Intemperate language exchanged between centrists is not a good look. Thanks.