Streak Told To Forget Captaincy

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Streak told to forget captaincy
From correspondents in London
April 21, 2004

ZIMBABWE's senior cricket administrator has said Heath Streak will not regain the national team captaincy as part of a peace deal with the country's 15 rebel white players.

Re-instating Streak as captain has been a key demand of the rebels ever since the pace bowler sparked the present dispute by complaining about the composition of Zimbabwe's selection panel.

But Zimbabwe Cricket Union chairman Peter Chingoka said: "There is no reverse gear on the captaincy. The captaincy decision is set in stone."

ZCU officials have always insisted that Streak resigned, although the player's father – who was once imprisoned by President Robert Mugabe's security services – said his son had been sacked.

In Streak's absence, 20-year-old wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu became the first black cricketer and the youngest ever international captain when he led Zimbabwe during today's one-day international against Sri Lanka in Bulawayo.

A much-changed Zimbabwe side eventually lost a rain-affected match by 12 runs but not before Taibu had made an unbeaten 96.

Streak was unhappy with the lack of experience among some members of the selection panel, his comments coming against a backdrop of claims the team was being chosen on the basis of a racial quota system rather than cricket ability.

Chingoka, who was here for a meeting with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) officials to discuss England's planned October tour, said no cricket authority in the world would accept restrictions on its authority to select a captain of its choice.

"We can't give up on the principle because of the consequences."

The 15 white players have been given until May 8 to resume playing or otherwise risk termination of their contracts.

Chingoka, who was due to meet International Cricket Council officials to discuss the whole question of Zimbabwe's future, stressed he would be happy to have the 15 back on board.

"The door remains open to the players and their representatives to talk to the union in an attempt to find a solution to the very serious problems we are currently facing," he said.

"Contrary to some media reports, the ZCU has no agenda to drive white players out of the game in Zimbabwe.

"Our first prize is for all players to come back.

"The second prize is that some of them come back and the third prize is that none of them do. We don't want that third prize."

AAP


cheers bryan..!!