I think over time, ICC have just been worn down by the corruption, says Grant Flower
Grant Flower believes the ICC suspended Zimbabwe Cricket because they have grown tired of the corruption, fraud, and overall problems that have surrounded it for well over a decade. However, Flower did raise an eyebrow at the way the ICC has chosen to interpret government intervention in this case.
As it was predicted in the days leading up to the ICC Annual conference, Zimbabwean Cricket has been suspended. So, it does not come as a major surprise. The implications of this decision, however, are quite serious. All ICC funding to Zimbabwe Cricket has been frozen. Representative teams from Zimbabwe will not be allowed to participate in any ICC events while under suspension. Ex-Zimbabwean cricketer Flower thinks that the ICC must have just gotten tired by politics and corruption.
"I think over time, the ICC have just been worn down by all the corruption, fraud, and the problems with Zimbabwe cricket not being able to get its house in order. Maybe they thought a jolt to their system would make some people realise what was expected of them. They would have reasoned Zimbabwe needed to understand that at some stage, you've got to put your house in order, and we can't keep propping you up like we have been doing over the years.
"I can understand the player's frustrations, but unfortunately with Zimbabwe cricket, it sounds like the ICC have just had enough,” Flower told ESPNCricinfo.
Problems with Zimbabwean Cricket is not a brand new issue. This has been going on for well over a decade. Back in 2004, 14 members, including Flower, had walked out of the system after then captain Heath Streak was dismissed for disagreements on racial quotas in the squad. Flower believes that things were worse then than it is now.
"We can go back many years to when things were very badly run. It's pretty obvious what was happening at the time and the people responsible who were involved. Unfortunately, in Zimbabwe corruption is rife. When you live there, you get used to it. It's quite an unhealthy state of life and affairs which has become the norm. It's quite frightening, but until you live there, you don't quite actually realise that,” Flower said.
However, while Flower expressed sympathy for the current crop of players, and the interim board, who have strived to clean up the mess, he noted that the ICC had overlooked other countries who’ve admitted government interference publicly.
"My understanding is the SRC is a public body and not exactly government. I think there's quite a big difference there and I'm surprised the media hasn't picked up on that. The SRC now is slightly more transparent. Regarding government intervention, it's curious how the ICC have decided to interpret that. There are other countries where it's publicly stated that some of the times that certain things will be discussed and decided at government level. So I think there's quite a big contradiction there from the ICC," Flower added.