By Sports Reporter
Cash-strapped Zimbabwe Cricket says it will not renew the contracts of “almost all” staff when they expire at the end of this month owing to a financial reconstruction of the organisation.
The ZC board’s decision comes at a time it has been facing a cash crunch which saw salaries of players and members of staff being delayed until they received a lifeline from the International Cricket Council.
“Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) is reviewing its cricket structure and financial strategy due to the need to radically reduce expenses across the board to ensure the sustainability of this great game,” ZC said in a statement.
“This strategic planning process is under way and needs to incorporate plans to ensure that the competitiveness and strength of domestic cricket and the high performance cricket pathway is at least maintained. Not an easy task.
“Strong measures are required to make this a reality. With the above in mind, ZC will not be renewing almost all staff contracts which conclude on 31 August 2018.”
The board however, assured that the players’ contracts would be reviewed and agreed by next week while the domestic cricket season would start in November.
“It needs to be noted that the national men and women player contracts are being reviewed and will be agreed next week.
“The domestic season will start in November and the staff complement required will by that time have been defined and agreed to suit the ZC cricket strategic direction. These are tough times and tough decisions are required to preserve cricket in Zimbabwe,” ZC said.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe national cricket team regulars Brendan Taylor and Graeme Cremer last week returned to training after finally being paid their outstanding salaries, bonuses and allowances ending their standoff with ZC.
Their last involvement in any form of cricket was during the International Cricket Council World Cup qualifiers that ended in disappointment following a defeat to the United Arab Emirates which scuttled Zimbabwe’s hopes of making it to England next year.
The board will now be hoping to have a full strength squad for their next series in South Africa, where they are scheduled to play three T20Is and as many One Day Internationals (ODIs).
Several senior players missed Zimbabwe’s recently concluded ODI series against Pakistan and the T20I tri-series also involving Australia – both at home – due to the non-payment of their salaries and match fees.
