Letters

HI FROM KANPUR
Thanks for your reply. John, I want to share my memorable moments with you.

8 Dec - Jodhpur victory
9 Dec - team arrived in Kanpur. First Zimbabwean whom I saw - Babu Meman.
10 Dec - Unforgettable!!! Despite the tight security, I was able to fulfill my wish. I took the snaps of "Mgibsie" Streak, Murphy, Nkala and Pycroft. Wasn't able to meet them as I'm disabled and they were surrounded by a mob. When everyone was looking for Sachin and Co I quietly moved to the 14th floor, where Zim was staying. I saw the superstar Andy, a catching distance from me but he rushed into his room with his laptop and I was not able to catch him as I'm a polio victim. Then came the moment of my life when Rackemann saw me. I took his autograph and he was kind enough to agree for the snap. Then I asked -
*How did you celebrate Jarvis sir's birthday?
CR - How do you know that?
*What about Murph's on 1 Dec?
CR - You are a bit faster.
*Murph's dob - 1 Dec, Gobby's [Grant Flower] 20 Dec...
CR - Well, good, tell me Lee's?
*Sorry sir, I'm only interested in Zim players.
CR - All the best for your Indian team.
*No sir, I'll be cheering for Zim. Also 11 Dec is special to me, as it is the dob of Goodwin and my girlfriend and I want a Zim win as a present.
CR - Good, enjoy.
*FINAL question, is Viljoen playing tomorrow?
CR - Still injured. Bye.
*Thanks, sir. It's a dream come true for me.

So, John, this was the moment. Yes, one query - Don't you think Viljoen or Gripper will be a good option for Gobby in tests and Guy will be best in the middle order. Also NZ being a good hunting team for this hunter.
Dr.Situ (Kanpur, India)

Reply: I'm so glad you managed to meet the team. I'm not sure Gripper is quite ready to bat consistently in Test cricket yet and Viljoen is not really an opening batsman. At the moment I feel Guy Whittall is the best option as an opener until we can find a really class specialist.

BEHAVIOUR ON THE FIELD
You are a fair guy. I liked the way you have touched upon the issues that tend to irritate me. I also applaud the mention about the Australian morons in your column. Maybe New Zealanders have followed the sick examples set by the Australian team.

The fact is, that they have been allowed to get away with it and hence now everyone thinks that it is possible to do such acts, gain percentage out of it. It is amazing when they do it - it is a proof of their commitment. When someone else does them same, then it is not proper.

I can accept that even our team can do such things - in a way I am glad that they have started it - in fact there have been many self-defeatist wimps who have played for our country. Conversely if all the culprits are not brought to book then maybe we will succeed in creating a different degree of difficulty in cricket, maybe something like rugby or football.

Until all the culprits are booked then one single person should not be picked on. Ganguly has been singled out by the third umpire on many occasions and I still question the truth of each and every one of those actions. May be there is a fair amount of cultural difference coming into play in the analysis of an action.

A frown may be mistaken to be a snarl, someone licking his lips could appear to be making vulgar actions, but petulance is NOT offensive - not in any country or culture.

Someone walking up to you (on his follow-through) and being abusive is offensive. Abuse in English, Latin, Swahili, Afrikaans, German, Hindi, Urdu - in any language - is offensive.

I am told even the Australian women cricketers have picked up the same habit. I guess we should all applaud their commitment and dedication.

Why was Stuart MacGill let off? Why was Ian Healy let off when he acted in a really obscene way with Chetan Sharma? Did any one ever kick Jeff Thomson's butt? Did any one ever give Lillee a tongue-lashing ?

I will write to Saurav separately (if I can establish contact with him) and request him to control his exuberance. Why fall prey to crooked laws?

But I will watch each and every match like a hawk and point out the flaws in this almost laughable implementation of cricketing laws - It is nothing short of a hilarious joke.

Lastly, I like this talking to you. I hope someday we can meet and exchange views in person.
Jeet Mukherjee (India)

Reply: Thanks for your views. I do know, though, that umpires find petulance offensive, and accepting the umpires' decisions in a sporting manner is one of the basics of the spirit of cricket. It can also be used as a way to pressurize umpires unfairly. I know how difficult it is, though, in modern sport when umpiring decisions are so often proved wrong, and that is one reason why I am calling for the greater use of technology so the players can be sure that the decisions that affect them are fair.

MURRAY GOODWIN
Is it possible that Murray Goodwin could be recalled for Zimbabwe in the upcoming Carlton and United one-day series in Australia? Is his relations with the team good enough that it may happen?
Darren Schwarz (Melbourne, Australia)

Reply: It would certainly have been possible were it not for Murray's contract with Western Australia, who would not release him as they would not want him missing any of their matches. On the other hand, I am sure the Zimbabwe Cricket Union would not want to select a player who was not available for other matches as well, except in a real emergency.

MORE UNDER-19 CRICKET
Once again, may I add my thanks to you for your excellent newsletter, that keeps exiles like myself up to date with the entire cricket scene in Zimbabwe. Having been involved in schools cricket in Zim, I am especially interested in the reports coming from the schools and the various national age-group teams. I look forward to reading about their exploits over the SA schools weeks and the three-day encounters of the Under-19 side.

I would dearly like to see more Under-19 international series taking place (as I would 'A' team games). I sometimes feel that the non-Test players still do not yet get enough exposure, although they are at least getting more practice at the longer game thanks to the extended Logan Cup. It should be the aim of the ZCU to have the next 20-30 players after the Test squad to be playing at least 10-12 first-class games a year, to prepare them for the rigors of test cricket. At present they seldom play more than five or six games.

Nevertheless it would seem that Zimbabwe cricket is looking good for the future (if only I could say the same about anything else in the country!).

A Merry Christmas to all involved in Zimbabwe cricket and may the New Millennium bring positive change to all in Zimbabwe, unlike the past non-year.
Roy Jones (U.K.)
PS Good to see my former school mate Gus Mackay in the Zim squad, even if it might be at the expense of my former student Henry O.
Note: Roy Jones was formerly in charge of first-team cricket at Plumtree School in Matabeleland.

SCHOOL WEBSITES
I am a Zimbabwean living in the USA. I do miss the game of cricket so much. I would like if possible to get web sites for most if not all the clubs in Zimbabwe. I would appreciate adds to schools like Prince Edward, St George's, Falcon, Peterhouse, Plumtree, Lomagundi, etc. I hope you guys can help out. I look forward to your reply.
Ngoni Makoni

Reply: I do not know of any club or school web sites - anybody out there able to help? If so, please contact Ngoni at holymountzion@ email.msn.com