...travel to Jamaica in late 2009 on top of their already heavy programme, shows the level of commitment needed to run with the big boys in international cricket.
The link withJamaicadoes not come as a surprise given that Ireland enjoyed a happy World Cup experience there last year, and despite all the negative publicity that surrounds this beautiful Caribbean island, the locals laid out the red carpet for everyone who visited their island. Jamaican cricket is certainly on par with Ireland, as they have produced some of the best West Indian test cricketers in recent times, so the experience and exchange could have long-term mutual benefits. The visit to Kenya may not be so straightforward, given that the other participating country is Zimbabwe.
Ironically Ireland played Zimbabwe in Jamaica last year, and a close encounter ended in an historic draw much to the delight of the Irish followers. But the cricket argument is not the issue when it comes to Zimbabwe these days, as the ruthless Mugabwe regime continues to isolate the country in international politics, and the atrocities that happen within the country have destroyed any semblance of democracy and human rights. There’s no problem in justifying playing cricket against Zimbabwe, but as Prime Minister Gordon Brown has clearly illustrated, the UK government is having nothing to do with Zimbabwe under this current regime. The direct repercussions of the British government’s stance has resulted in Zimbabwe withdrawing from next year’s Cricket World Twenty20 Cup because the Zimbabwean players were going to be refused visas to enter the UK.
These are tough times for Zimbabwe cricket but it has enjoyed strong support from within the ICC, especially from the Asian countries. The standard of their cricket has fallen dramatically in recent years, and while they no longer enjoy test status, their ODI standing is still intact. In cricket terms this triangular tournament is good for all three nations as there’s not much separating them, and Ireland needs quality preparation prior to next year’s Twenty20 competition and the World Cup qualifiers. But political activists may not be so accommodating. After all, there was international outrage when Beijing was allocated this year’s Olympics and the protests continued throughout the preparations and the actual staging of the event. The Moscow Olympics were also tainted by political protests, and for many years South Africa was boycotted for its apartheid policy.
It’s a controversial issue as to whether a sports boycott has any bearing on a political regime, and even using the South African example, it is speculative to assume that the boycott in any way helped remove apartheid, and bring down oppressive white government. The issue has not been taken lightly by Cricket Ireland whose Chief Executive Warren Deutrom has reportedly consulted both the ICC and the Department of Foreign Affairs for guidance and obviously received clearance. In fairness, neither body could justly do otherwise, as this tournament is in Kenya, and there are plenty of recent precedents where UK and Irish sportspeople have competed against Zimbabweans at neutral venues, most notably at the Beijing Olympics and last year’s World Cup. It would also be unfair to Zimbabwe cricket for CricketIrelandto think otherwise, as Ireland has enjoyed a good relationship with the Africans dating back to our first tour in 1986.
Cricket Ireland is to be congratulated for taking this initiative and while there may be some people who think otherwise, sport should be above politics, and sportspeople should be allowed to compete against each other without any political constraints. Thankfully in this instance the governing bodies of sport have been allowed to make their own call, and that’s good for cricket.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
