Southern Times
21 June 2010
Harare – Zimbabwe sports minister David Coltart has been in Australia meeting government representatives with the hope of resuming cricket ties between the two countries.
This follows a meeting with Cricket Australia (CA) officials earlier in the week, including chairman Jack Clarke and chief executive James Sutherland, where Coltart argued Zimbabwe’s case for the resumption of cricket ties.
‘Senator Coltart briefed the chairman and chief executive on his view that cricket is starting to be restored in Zimbabwe,’ a CA spokesman said.
‘His view is that it would be helpful if world cricket was able to engage with Zimbabwe cricket to help with the further restoration of the game in that country.’
Coltart requested that Australia resume cricket contact with Zimbabwe at under-19 and Australia A level, a proposal that CA will consider.
However, a sticky issue during Coltart’s trip was the ICC candidacy of former Australian prime minister John Howard which is being opposed by Zimbabwe Cricket.
‘In terms of Zimbabwe’s laws I do not have the power to give direction to Zimbabwe cricket. So I’m simply playing a role of mediator and facilitator, because Peter Chingoka and Ozias Bvute can’t at the present time travel to Australia.
‘I will meet the Zimbabwe cricket board when I get back next week and convey to them what’s been discussed, and I hope that sense will prevail,’ Coltart said
Coltart travelled to New Zealand prior to Australia and the Black Cats have already said they would work towards touring Zimbabwe next year. New Zealand called-off a scheduled tour of the country this year, citing ‘security concerns’.
However, Zimbabwe recently hosted without incident a tri-nations One Day International series involving India and Sri Lanka where the hosts made it to the finals with some encouraging performances.