Common Sense Prevails

Following weeks of uncertainty and indecision surrounding the Australian Cricket Teams’ tour of Zimbabwe, the trip has been scrapped. Incredibly, our cricket tragic PM intervened, putting a stop to proceedings – promising to invalidate player’s passports if necessary to stop the tour going ahead. Given our history for watery foreign policy, Howard’s stand was a welcome change, and I applaud his decision. His motives have been tied to the forthcoming election, but I’m not that interested in his motives. The players are relieved that they don’t need to take a boycott into their own hands, their safety has been ensured and Mugabe has heard loud and clear that Australia don’t like where he’s steering Zimbabwe.

Criticism from former Australian player Dean Jones (and from the ICC) has focused on the lost opportunity to spread the influence of the game of cricket. Let’s keep some perspective though – as much as I love it, it’s a game. The ICC want to make their money, Jones wants to perpetuate the romanticism of spreading cricket to former British colonies – but seriously (and obviously), there are bigger issues here at stake. Jone could also do well to pipe down for a while, after his recent sacking from Sri Lankan television for calling South Africa batsman Hashim Amla “the terrorist”. Maybe Jones should also take a leaf out of Howard’s book and read the many valid reasons for boycotting the tour. The right decision has been made; let’s talk no more about it.