Cricket: behind closed doors

I've just read Peter Roebucks' stunning attack (Cricinfo.com, 16 April 2008) on the ICC and their recent meeting and general pitiful attempts to steer the game.

Once choice excerpt - there are many sharp shards of prose aimed at those presiding over the game at one of it's most important crossroads - discusses the issue of Zimbabwe's cricket hierarchy:

Cunning to the core, [Peter] Chingoka has done deals with the BCCI, and votes for it at every opportunity. India owes him "big time". Like his mentor and master Robert Mugabe, he knows how to play his cards, talking about colonialism and intransigent whites, spreading rumours when it suits him. He is a pitiful figure who will not survive the return of democracy and the rule of law to his country, should that happy day ever dawn...

After years of sickening misrule in Zimbabwean cricket, the ICC finally asked KPMG to undertake a proper forensic audit. Not even Chingoka's supporters could prevent it...

But it did uncover serious financial irregularities. Part of any board's duty is to ensure that money is properly used. ZCU has been given tens of millions of dollars. Why are the grounds in poor shape? Why are the players paid a pittance? Why have tournaments been cancelled? Where has the money gone?

So why is the ICC not holding Zimbabwe to account? Why are the members letting these financial irregularities go unpunished? It's their duty to the game and the players who give yet suffer the most.

Steven Price wrote (Cricinfo.com, 19 March 2008), following the ICC's statement on the KPMG report into the finances of Zimbabwe Cricket:

One former Test played laughed loudly when he read the decision. "So, there are 'serious financial irregularities' but nobody is to blame and, in effect, the ICC are saying that they don't really matter. These guys just don't want to know the truth and don't care what's happening out here. It suits them to pretend all's well and that's just what they do."

The ICC have always been known for their non-committal fence-sitting approach to many issues on and off the pitch, but currently those in charge are overseeing a financially bountiful but morally questionable period in the games history.

Read Roebuck's article and the reader comments that follow to see one viewpoint on the impact of the current cricketing superpowers hold on the game.