Contract dilemma for Williams

Keenly pursued by the powers of Zimbabwean cricket, including coach Kevin Curran, 19-year-old Sean Williams faces a dilemma of club versus country with the Champions Trophy approaching in October of this month.

Williams has been in scintillating form for his England club Clara Vale in the Northumberland first division. The club sits atop the league standings and, as such, is not keen on releasing Williams before the end of the season.

Curran has stated, however, that he desires Williams’ inclusion in the Zimbabwe squad, providing he is willing to participate also in the preparatory 3-match ODI series in South Africa later this month.

While Williams wishes to represent Zimbabwe at the Champions Trophy, he acknowledges his dilemma in that, should he terminate his contract with Clara Vale before the end of the season, he would struggle to be signed by any club next season, given the precedent which will be stated.

The former Zimbabwe under-19 captain turned down a contract from Zimbabwe Cricket earlier this year to pursue club cricket in England. His value as an allround cricketer ? a promising batsman, an economical left-arm spinner and a brilliant fielder ? saw Curran approach him again in July to rejoin the national team.

Williams subsequently failed to impress against Bangladesh ‘A’, and missed out on selection to the senior squad which later defeated the higher rated Bangladesh.

He is among five Zimbabwean cricketers playing club cricket in England who are expected to participate in the upcoming South Africa tour and Champions Trophy experience. The others are Terrence Duffin, Anthony Ireland, Edward Rainsford and Brendan Taylor.