South Africa Threaten England Tour

[Rik]

One thing...if South Africa and Zimbabwe refused to tour England in the summer what would happen? England is not considered a dangerous country by the ICC. What would happen? Would the touring teams be forced to play? Would they end up forfitting the series? If the latter is true then England could gain 2 series wins without doing a thing...

I know the ICC feel Zimbabwe is a safe place, but the current politicial climate does not appear to agree with that view. Also England has had no problem of late and if England loose points by boycotting the match against Zimbabwe if the ICC Panel decide that it is safe enough to play in Zimbabwe, I would hope Zimbabwe and South Africa are treated just as harshly, if not more, if they refuse to tour England on "security concerns."

 

[Rik]

One thing...if South Africa and Zimbabwe refused to tour England in the summer what would happen? England is not considered a dangerous country by the ICC. What would happen? Would the touring teams be forced to play? Would they end up forfitting the series? If the latter is true then England could gain 2 series wins without doing a thing...

I know the ICC feel Zimbabwe is a safe place, but the current politicial climate does not appear to agree with that view. Also England has had no problem of late and if England loose points by boycotting the match against Zimbabwe if the ICC Panel decide that it is safe enough to play in Zimbabwe, I would hope Zimbabwe and South Africa are treated just as harshly, if not more, if they refuse to tour England because of "security concerns."

 

[luckyeddie]

It's all down to 'perceived threats'.

What kind of message do the 'emergencies' at Gatwick, Heathrow, Leeds/Bradford (today), the closure of roads around Stansted and the like send to the world?

I, for one, would not blame ANYONE under the circumstances for deciding to give England a miss for a while.

 

[Rik]

It's all down to 'perceived threats'.

What kind of message do the 'emergencies' at Gatwick, Heathrow, Leeds/Bradford (today), the closure of roads around Stansted and the like send to the world?

I, for one, would not blame ANYONE under the circumstances for deciding to give England a miss for a while.

These threats won't last long. Anyway, they have nothing to do with Cricket. We might end up having Zimbabwe and South Africa and Pakistan refusing to tour because of a war with Iraq the way this is going...

 

[luckyeddie]

These threats won't last long. Anyway, they have nothing to do with Cricket. We might end up having Zimbabwe and South Africa and Pakistan refusing to tour because of a war with Iraq the way this is going...

And neither does the situation in Zimbabwe. It has everything to do with safety, either
a) real
or
b) perceived.

 

[Rik]

And neither does the situation in Zimbabwe. It has everything to do with safety, either
a) real
or
b) perceived.

Zimbabwe's problem is Mugabe, and he doesn't look like he's going to go in a hurry...

 

[Langeveldt]

Zimbabwe's problem is Mugabe, and he doesn't look like he's going to go in a hurry...

Well he is 78 or something like that, and I hope he goes so they can start rebuilding Zimbabwe.

He cant have long to go....

 

[Rik]

Well he is 78 or something like that, and I hope he goes so they can start rebuilding Zimbabwe.

He cant have long to go....

We can only hope

 

[PY]

If the English think that comparing the security scenario in England and Zimbabwe is an insult to them, they can go hang

"hang"??can you justify that comment please f_l, don't see how the UK can be compared to Zimbabwe when it comes to safety of touring cricketers

 

[Rik]

"hang"??can you justify that comment please f_l, don't see how the UK can be compared to Zimbabwe when it comes to safety of touring cricketers

Sheesh I didn't notice that.

Yes...hang, wouldn't you like to explain that?

Also have you ever been to the UK? I've lived here for 19 years...nearly all my life, and I've never even come close to being blown up, murdered because of my beliefs or mixed up in a rigged election. England and Zimbabwe are totally different places, one is a decent place to live if a bit cold and wet, the other is a politicial hotspot with a mad racist dictator in charge...guess which is which...
Also that police chief, frankly to laugh at any death threat, however often you get them, is insensitive, and quite worrying if you ask me. I certianly wouldn't want him running the police force in my country...