Exclusive: National League called off as another player exodus rocks Zimbabwe

Posted by brmtaylor.com admin on November 14, 2008

If you've been looking at this website for the past few weeks you will have noticed a distinct lack of updates. Unfortunately, some disturbing news has reached brmtaylor.com about the state of cricket in Zimbabwe.

It has come to our attention that Zimbabwe Cricket has cancelled this seasons National League, which was scheduled to start several weeks ago. ZC cite insufficient funds as the reason behind the National League being cancelled.

Worse news is that there has been another player exodus, this time among the more promising of the domestic players. This is just further proof that Zimbabwean cricket is in a state of free fall. Until now, the players leaving tended to be top national team players, it is deeply concerning that domestic players are also becoming fed up with the situation.

Brighton Mugochi and Tarisai Mahlunge have both departed Zimbabwe and are now playing for Wanderers in South Africa. The left arm spinner Mugochi is only 20 years old and was Centrals most important player for the past two years in the Logan Cup, taking 43 wickets at an average of just 20.30. His domestic one day record is just as impressive, taking 8 wickets at an average of just 15.25.

Mahlunge, also 20 and a key player for Centrals, is one of only a handful of domestic cricketers to have a First Class century to his name. He has been playing for Centrals since 2007 and averages 25.35 with a top score of 145 against Southerns last May. Also the first choice wicket keeper, the loss of Mahlunge will be felt just as much as Mugochi.

The third departure was Jemton Chinyengetere, the brother of Southerns and Uprising captain Robertson Chinyengetere. He also left for South Africa, but has yet to find a club to play for.

More players will soon be leaving Zimbabwe.

Ray Price and Tatenda Taibu, the most experienced players in the national squad, were dropped ahead of Zimbabwe's four day clash against Sri Lanka in Bulawayo. Taibu's omission seems to be related to his row with the board regarding his family's travel expenses to Pakistan earlier this year, while the reason for Price's omission is still unknown.

The view of the players is that Zimbabwe cricket has dropped to "very low" levels, and it seems due to these recent developments that Zimbabwe cricket is in its most dire state. The one bright light is the upcoming 5 ODI series in Harare, with the Zimbabwean fans very excited to be seeing Murali and Mahela Jayawardene live in action.