UPDATED - Coventry DOES NOT return for T20 World Cup

MORE INSIGHT

CHARLES Coventry has pulled out of Zimbabwe’s preliminary squad for the International Cricket Council World Twenty20 (T20) competition to be held in Bangladesh in March.

DANIEL NHAKANISO

SPORTS REPORTER

The aggressive middle-order batsman had been named in the 30-member Zimbabwe Cricket on Saturday. However, Coventry, who will return to his base in Dubai today, said the current financial problems affecting the local game were behind his decision.

“Yes, I just read in the papers that I had been included in the squad, but unfortunately I won’t be available. Obviously I’m living and working in Dubai at the moment.” Coventry, who played for the Wings XI in Dubai towards the end of last year, said.

“For me it’s about playing T20 cricket and I’m not really thinking about international cricket at the moment. It’s not like I don’t want to play for Zimbabwe, it’s just that I think that things are still tough in Zimbabwe with regards to earning money and player welfare throughout the season,” he said.

Coventry, who last played for Zimbabwe during their tour of New Zealand in November 2011 refused to completely rule out a possible return to the national team in the future.

“I would never turn my back on Zimbabwe and I’m not writing off the possibility of representing my country again.

“It would be nice to play for Zimbabwe again in the future, but not at this particular time,” Coventry said.

His decision to withdraw from the Zimbabwe’s ICC World T20 preliminary comes hardly as a surprise given the financial problems currently bedevilling the local game.

The financial problems have already seen Zimbabwe losing several players such as Kyle Jarvis, Craig Ervine, Graeme Cremer, Stuart Matsikenyeri and Greg Lamb.

Last month, the country’s domestic cricket season was thrown into chaos after local players refused to play until they were paid outstanding dues owed to them by the game’s governing body, Zimbabwe Cricket.

In fact, uncertainty continues to surround the resumption of the Zimbabwe domestic cricket season despite the announcement of the ICC World T20 preliminary squad as players are yet to receive their dues.

The domestic league was expected to resume on January 18, but Zimbabwe Cricket’s media and communications manager Lovemore Banda said a decision would be reached this week.

At first i thought it was a good idea by Choppa to come back for t20 WC so he could get some world wide exposure to further his 'Global' t20 career what better chance for him to show case his skills and possibly get the attention of t20 franchises around the world. It's not much help to Zimbabwe cricket but some of these guys like Choppa, Craig Ervine, Cremer and co could really get some great exposure by taking part in the t20 WC. Just watching the Big bash here in Australia i've noticed there is a shortage of talent there are a lot of 'club' cricketers getting a start here in the BBL i reckon guys like hami, BRMT & Chigs would also be good enough to cut it in the BBL and add something to teams who are in need ……

Perfect example in the Heat v Sixers game the heat were cruising to victory until they lost a couple of wickets and Chris Sabburg a club cricketer came to the crease, this guy couldn't find the middle and wasted so many deliveries to the point where the heat lost. Now if they had some one like chigs or Choppa coming in down the order they could have kept the score board ticking and probably won. I reckon Choppa or Chigs or any of these Zimbo's would be happy with the money this Sabburg is on ( I'm guessing not much ) and they would be much better t20 players …..

Teams like the Scorchers, Sixers and Thunder are also low on batting where BRMT and Hami could fill these voids …..

Sakib from BD played his first match and dominated with bat and ball surely our guys could also make an impact …...

As i said it won't help ZC much by these guys just playing t20 but I reckon it would be very beneficial to the individuals …….

As i said it won't help ZC much by these guys just playing t20 but I reckon it would be very beneficial to the individuals …….

I agree. It would probably be to the personal advantage of some players to accept that ZC won't be paying them, but use the opportunity to showcase their own talents on the world stage in the hope that an IPL or Big Bash team likes what they see.

One thing is for sure, there's no IPL scouts checking out club cricket matches in Dubai. But a few freakish performances in front of TV cameras at a World T20 and who knows? Admittedly it is a risk as a Dubai cricket club may be able to write regular pay cheques, but the potential reward to playing international cricket is a lucrative franchise contract in one or more proper domestic competitions.

brmtaylor.com admin wrote:I agree. It would probably be to the personal advantage of some players to accept that ZC won't be paying them, but use the opportunity to showcase their own talents on the world stage in the hope that an IPL or Big Bash team likes what they see.

Yes, he could have tried taking advantage of that for sure. But in any case, being part of squad of 30 has no guarantee of getting into the final 15. We'll sure see the likes of Corey Anderson bought for obsene money after that innings, and just one such innings would have helped Coventry.

By the way, why can't the Zimbos be looking at the Ram Slam of SA? I'm sure they have place for our T20 big 3 at least - Hamilton, Elton and BT?