ZC demands the names of Zimbabwe cricketers protesting
Zimbabwe Cricket, after the country’s failure to qualify for the ICC World Cup 2019, removed Graeme Cremer from captaincy and sacked head coach Heath Streak and his entire coaching stuff back in March this year. But a recent tension has arisen between the governing body and its cricketers over unpaid salaries, match fees, and bonuses.
The players had previously warned the board to boycott the upcoming tri-nation series Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and Australia. ZC has made the situation worse by refusing to clarify on when they will be paying the dues.
The Zimbabwe national team players are owed match fees dating back to the tour of Sri Lanka last July and have not received their salaries for the past two months as well. Last week the players enlisted the services of a Harare lawyer, Gerald Mlotshwa, to lead their demands. Mlotshwa is also representing former coach Heath Streak, batting coach Lance Klusener and fitness trainer Sean Bell following their dismissal by ZC.
ZC has asked for the players' name who are demanding their dues, which is being seen as a ploy to victimize the players protesting.
“We are puzzled as to who exactly you purport to represent,” ZC’s legal consultant Joyce Kwashira wrote to Mlotshwa on Friday.
“Players become national team players upon selection into the national team squad. In order for us to respond to your correspondence, please furnish us with a document signed by individual players whom you are representing so that we may respond accordingly.”
Mlotshwa, on the other hand, thinks that demanding the list of names of the players is ZC's attempt to divert from the real issues. He gave an ultimatum to the governing body until noon on Wednesday to provide a written undertaking as to when the outstanding money would be paid.
“They know who I represent and the letter is very clear about that. They must just simply write to the individual players and indicate when salaries are being paid,” he said.
