Looks like the same old story again, another month sought by ZC to get ICC cash. Will the players budge?Zimbabwe Cricket management yesterday sought to avert a crisis when they engaged some senior players following threats of a strike over unpaid match fees and bonuses.The stand-off comes just a week into the new season, which was delayed by almost three months, due to financial challenges facing the association.
The players are understood to have given the association an ultimatum that they will not fulfill fixtures this season until their concerns were addressed.
And yesterday the management engaged senior players, who included national team captain Brendan Taylor, Elton Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya in the morning, and the issue was likely to be the main topic of discussion in a board meeting that was held later in the day.
The players said they were owed various amounts by the association. One of the players yesterday told The Herald that the cricketers were given assurances that they will get all their dues out of the bail-out chunk that ZC is expecting to get from the International Cricket Council.
"There are issues going on and the players want their money. There was a meeting involving management and the senior guys today (yesterday) and ZC is saying they need a month, at least, to look into the issues.
"They are also hoping to get something from the, ICC, and hopefully all the players will get their bonuses," said the player.
Meanwhile, Mashonaland Eagles batsman Regis Chakabva has been praised by national team captain Brendan Taylor following his career best double century in a Logan Cup match during the week.
Chakabva joined the elite class of few Zimbabwean players with double tons when he scored 240 runs in the drawn match against MidWest Rhinos.
Previously Chakabva's best score in first class cricket was 131 runs. The match, however, was washed out by the rains on the fourth day, with Taylor also in sparkling form after scoring 102 and 150 unbeaten in his innings for Rhinos.
"Regis played a fantastic knock. That was good cricket from him considering that most the guys have been away from the game for some time. On the positive side it's important that the league is running and everyone gets a chance," said Taylor.
Chakabva's teammate Elton Chigumbura, who returned last week from a stint in Bangladesh, was also full of praises for the batsman.
"Scoring 200 was a big achievement for him and that should inspire confidence in him and other players as well. I have played with Regis for some time and he works hard.
"It's good that he is reaping the rewards and hopefully he continues in that vein because we are looking forward to better results this year," said Chigumbura.
Eagles will travel to Mutare for the Pro50 Championship match against Mountaineers tomorrow. Eagles are the defending champions in the limited overs game.
Eagles and Mountaineers will clash again on Tuesday in the Logan Cup competition. Chigumbura said he was encouraged by the overall performance in the Logan Cup.
"We batted well but unfortunately we couldn't get the last five wickets in that Logan Cup game. But we are looking to getting better results this year because last year we didn't do quite well in the first class competition," said Chigumbura.
Rhinos will host Southern Rocks tomorrow in the Pro50 Championship before meeting again in the Logan Cup starting on Tuesday.
Fixtures
Tomorrow
Mountaineers v Mashonaland Eagles (Mutare)
Mid West Rhinos v Southern Rocks (Kwekwe)
Good encouraging words by BT and Chigs about the Regis double ton too.
