Goodwin surprised at support

Former batsman claims Zimbabwe should not keep Test status

Last updated: 4th July 2008

murray goodwin

Goodwin: Surprised

Obviously the country is in tatters and I feel so sorry for the actual cricketers because all they want to do is play cricket. Unfortunately politics and all those situations can get involved.

Murray Goodwin
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Former Zimbabwe batsman Murray Goodwin believes the infrastructure is not in place to support his country having a Test side.

Zimbabwe managed to keep hold of their full member status with the ICC after a last-minute compromise saw them pull out of the World Twenty20 Championship in England.

However while not surprised at the decision to withdraw, Goodwin is shocked that Zimbabwe has been supported in terms of playing Test cricket.

Goodwin, who played 19 Tests and 71 One-Day Internationals for his homeland, told Sky Sports News: "To be honest I am not surprised and I am backing England in the terms of not welcoming the side to try and support cricket in general.

"Obviously the country is in tatters and I feel so sorry for the actual cricketers because all they want to do is play cricket. Unfortunately politics and all those situations can get involved.

"But personally I think the infrastructure of cricket in Zimbabwe is too far gone at the moment and I don't think they are a good enough side to hold their international status."

England and South Africa had led the calls for Zimbabwe to be excluded from the international arena, while India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are believed to have supported the troubled African nation.

Surprised

However Goodwin, who plays in the County Championship for Sussex, insists that the country is in no shape to play international cricket - and faces an uphill battle to recover.

"I am surprised they have been supported in terms of keeping them in the Test arena. I think, if anything, they could hold their own a little bit in Twenty20 cricket but when it comes to Test cricket they are to far away," the 35-year-old said.

"I don't know if there are underlying factor with certain contacts in the Zimbabwe Cricket Board, but it is surprising if they really did go to the country and see that is going on with cricket there. Even when I was back there playing club cricket it wasn't that strong and that was when the national side was there.

"From what I have heard the infrastructure is totally shot and the ground I used to play at has metre high grass and no sport is played there.

"It is too far gone now to rectify and that is why I am saying I am surprised that Test status is still there. If people just look at the cricket structure in Zimbabwe I can't see it coming back from it."