Australia and NZ (I think) didn't play in Sri Lanka due to safety concerns because of the ongoing Tamil-Sinhalese conflict.Top_Cat said:A precedent for what?
And how does isolating him help?Rik said:Just think about it, Mugabe is a dictator, just like Hitler and Saddam. Cricket is a game, it should not take precedence over such desisions in my opinion.
The best way is to not let the guy think that the whole world will allow him to get away with it. Saying "We will not come to your country" will not sit well with him.Neil Pickup said:And how does isolating him help?
Nationalist Propaganda will be easy enough to manufacture and consolidate his position in charge.
The best way is to go out there and play them off the park.
The situations are only analogous on a few levels. A general comment like 'both elections were dodgy' is completely outweighed by the human rights abuses which go on against the people in Zimbabwe, and will continue to go on whilst we pretend it doesn't happen. And to my mind, a sport's governing body must at least listen to the governments which represent the teams in their charter. I just don't see how anyone can justify going to a country like that to play a sport and completely disregard the politics of the current environment saying it has 'nothing to do with us'. As I said, you indirectly lend credibility to the government which does a lot to solidify its position in power.The political/moral problems are another issue entirely. We have a dodgy election result, but so did the USA. Hence, that's not a valid point in itself.
Maybe. But how can a government on one hand condemn Zimbabwe's current government and then be quite happy to send some sportsmen there? It's about maintaining a consistent position too. Touring in the current political situation does more to enhance Mugabe's position than not.And how does isolating him help?
Nationalist Propaganda will be easy enough to manufacture and consolidate his position in charge.
In the same way that we can continue to trade with Zimbabwe. There are no economic sanctions at all, so I'm not sure how the Government can claim with any justification that the cricket teams ought not to travel for one game of cricket whilst they're quite happily trading. And selling Arms.Top_Cat said:Maybe. But how can a government on one hand condemn Zimbabwe's current government and then be quite happy to send some sportsmen there? It's about maintaining a consistent position too. Touring in the current political situation does more to enhance Mugabe's position than not.
Somehow we need to send a message to Zimbabwe that we're not happy with the current government and for good reason. Touring there will just make any further rhetoric from our politicians ring hollow because it'll be hypocritical.
somehow if these reports are correct, then doesn't that make those issues a bit bigger than the WC or sport in general (not that England has a real chance at the title)?????marc71178 said:Personally I think they should go but won't.
In England's point of view, if we don't go and forfeit the points, then, barring a miracle that's our World Cup over.
Those 2 points are crucial if we're going to make the Super Sixes.
Not a real shot at the title, but (despite what others think) a reasonable chance of the Super Sixes - if they pick up the 3 wins against ZIM, NAM and HOL.anzac said:somehow if these reports are correct, then doesn't that make those issues a bit bigger than the WC or sport in general (not that England has a real chance at the title)?????
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That's not a valid cause in my judgement.Elections are controversial all over the world and that's not reason enough for such drastic measures.Neil Pickup said:And A_B - I think the big issue now is the "flawed" election.