Newsday
By Henry Mhara, Sports Reporter
17th October 2014
David Coltart has questioned Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC)’s decision to drop all-rounder Sean Williams from the squad to tour Bangladesh with the former Sports minister even alleging racism in the selection process.
The top batsman is one of the four players from the squad that played in a recent one-off Test against South Africa, which they lost by nine wickets, who have been dropped from the travelling party which left yesterday evening.
The other players who missed out are Mark Vermeulen, Cuthbert Musoko and Donald Tiripano.
The team, which will play Bangladesh in three Tests and five one-day internationals (ODIs) later this month, was expected to leave for the subcontinent yesterday afternoon.
However, Coltart, who has been involved in ZC racial rows before, was not amused by the selected squad, particularly the omission of Williams, which he alleged could have been motivated by racism.
Coltart took to social media to vent his frustration.
“Williams was arguably one of our best players in the recent Aus/SA series and it is incomprehensible why he has been excluded from the team. In absence of explanation why Williams has been dropped, it appears the racial quota in the Zim Cricket team continues,†posted Coltart on his Twitter handle.
He added: “Williams also is one of the best players of spin and his spin bowling suits the Bangladesh conditions. Racism in cricket, or any sport, is just plain bad — evil in fact — and in the absence of an explanation, one has to assume this is ZC policy. Since the new coaching/selection regime took over in Zimbabwe Cricket, no team has featured more than three white players — is this policy?â€
Former national cricket coach Alan Butcher also added his voice on the debate, by posting on one of Coltart’s Twitter threads: “If it’s policy, surely Williams before Waller on stats . . . must be something else. It would be great for the team if for once they travelled abroad with the best squad!â€
While there was no explanation from ZC why Williams had been dropped, unconfirmed reports yesterday suggested the player had a bust-up with the often volatile and unpredictable coach Stephen Mangongo earlier this week.
In the squad for Bangladesh, Mangongo recalled Tinashe Panyangara and Craig Ervine as well as naming three new caps.
Among the new caps is left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza, brother of batsman Hamilton and pace bowler Shingirai, both of whom are also in the squad.
However, Shingirai and Wellington will return after the three Test matches and will, according to a ZC release yesterday, be replaced by any of Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Solomon Mire, Peter Moore, Tawanda Mupariwa and Brian Vitori.
Brian Chari will also return home after the three Tests.
Batsman Chari and all-rounder Natsai M’shangwe are the other uncapped players in a 17-man squad.
While Panyangara played in the Test against South Africa, he was dropped during the ODI tri-series against Australia and
South Africa in August for reportedly sharing a video of Mitchell Johnson bowling at England with his team-mates.
Batsman Ervine last played a Test match in March 2013.
Zimbabwe will play three Tests in Bangladesh, the first of which begins on October 25 in Mirpur.
They will also play five ODIs in November and December.
Test squad:
Brendan Taylor (captain), Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Natsai M’shangwe, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller
ODI Squad:
Elton Chigumbura (captain), Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Natsai M’shangwe, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusi Sibanda, Malcolm Waller
Three out of Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Solomon Mire, Peter Moor, Tawanda Mupariwa, Brian Vitori
Officials
Head Coach: Stephen Mangongo
Assistant Coach: Douglas Hondo
Team Manager: Mufaro Chiturumani
Match Analyst: Stanley Chioza
Fitness Trainer: Walter Karimanzira
Physiotherapist: Anesu Mupotaringa
Convener of Selectors: Givemore Makoni
Match Schedule
Three-day game in Fatullah, 20 to 22 October
First Test match in Dhaka, 25 to 29 October
Second Test match in Khulna, 3 to 7 November
Third Test match in Chittagong, 12 to 16 November
One-day practice match in Chittagong, 19 November
First ODI in Chittagong, 21 November
Second ODI in Chittagong, 23 November
Third ODI in Mirpur, 26 November
Fourth ODI in Mirpur, 28 November, and
Fifth ODI in Mirpur, 01 December 2014