Sean Williams ‘regrets’ quitting

Daily News

By Austin Karonga

6 September 2012

HARARE – Zimbabwe top-order batsman Sean Williams says he regrets quitting the national side and has set his sights on reviving his international career.

The gifted 25-year-old left-hander walked out on the team after last year’s Cricket World Cup in the Indian subcontinent in protest over late and non-payment of match fees.

Williams returned home from the World Cup early after he fractured his right thumb and was replaced by Vusi Sibanda.

With local first-class sides keen to sign him for the domestic league, Williams chose to play hockey and amateur cricket in South Africa.

However, the born-and-bred Bulawayo batsman, who is also a useful left-arm spin bowler, has settled for a earn-as-you-play contract with his home franchise Matabeleland Tuskers ahead of the upcoming 2012-13 domestic season.

“It’s quite a tough situation that I got myself into, I got involved in some politics that I regret getting myself involved in. I didn’t get paid on time and naturally I was disappointed to the extent that I said that I would never play cricket for my country again,” Williams told the Daily News yesterday.

“I feel I have let down kids in Zimbabwe who may have looked up to me as a role model and I would want to find an opportunity to make it up for them and show them what it feels to represent your country.”

Williams revealed he has been paid part of his outstanding dues by ZC.

“I got a quarter of my payment after the World Cup and recently got paid a bit and the remainder will be paid out over the next two months, according to the accounts officials at ZC.

“At the moment, I just want to play domestic cricket for Matabeleland Tuskers and obviously my long-term goal is to be re-admitted into the national team. I’m also playing national team hockey of which I have just made it into the side because last year the team wasn’t that strong.”

Williams comes from a well-known hockey family in Bulawayo.

His father, Colin “Porge” Williams, is a former Zimbabwe men’s hockey coach while his step-mother Pat McKillop was a member of the famous Golden Girls team which sensationally won gold for Zimbabwe at the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980. Step-brother Michael McKillop captained Zimbabwe’s men hockey side.

Meanwhile, Sports minister David Coltart, who had a chat with Williams on Tuesday, believes the left-hander will be valuable addition to the team.

“I think Zimbabwe can benefit immensely from his skills and diversity being a left-handed batsman, good fielder and left-arm spinner,” Coltart said.

“As the minister responsible for sport, let me categorically state that our sportspersons should get paid their dues regardless of what discipline they play because they are professionals and as such their livelihood depends on the sport.

“We had a meeting with Zifa last week and some of the key issues that came up included maximising on the best athletes the country has, and I am glad that Knowledge Musona is back. With him being part of the team, I have the confidence that the Warriors will do well against Angola.”