Giving back to the system

When Vusi Sibanda declined a contract offer from Zimbabwe Cricket he may well have felt that he had things clearly mapped out and would be able to get sufficient runs domestically and on the back of his performances earn a call-up to each side that was selected for international duty. He has been unable to scale the first hurdle as he has been left out of the touring party to New Zealand.

Some will say that based on his performances when Zimbabwe returned to test match cricket, he should have been penned into the side ages ago. Well, I would like to say that I like the approach that has been taken by the board in making a statement to all that want to represent the country that if they do not play in the big domestic competitions then they will not be selected.

I disagree with players trying to dip in and out of the system as and when they please, picking and choosing which competitions to miss and which ones to participate in. There is a certain duty that the best players have to ensure that they strengthen the system that produces them by giving back to it to help continuity and development.

In the time that Sibanda decided he would go off to Australia to play grade cricket, the domestic 20-over competition took place and there would have been a lesser player to fill in for him. While that was a great opportunity for someone else, the system needs its best players while trying to develop into a strong and very competitive one.

In South Africa there was the case of Johan Botha going off to Australia to play in the Big Bash League while his franchise, the Warriors, played three first-class matches. He obtained permission to do so and therefore will not, and probably should not, be blamed for going. However, I totally disagree with what happened in principle as it sets a terrible precedent. The next time somebody requests release to go and earn an extra buck during the domestic season, it will be difficult and most likely unfair to deny him.

That Sibanda sought no prior permission kind of meant that the writing was on the wall. He effectively erased his good performances in Zimbabwe’s return to test-match cricket towards the end of the winter and would have had to play exceptionally well in the couple of first-class matches just before the selection of the squad to tour New Zealand. His name is nowhere to be seen when it comes to the leading run scorers in the Logan Cup, which is Zimbabwe’s first class competition and so the omission would have been a relatively simple one.

In principle, I agree with Sibanda being left out but not for the fact that he got no runs domestically. I believe it sets the right precedent to other players that they can’t just decide to go off chasing the money at the expense of the system that makes them what they are. Players have to be wise and reasonable in their decisions and my gut tells me that Vusi Sibanda either did not get the right advice or chose not to listen to it.

It would be nice to have him in New Zealand as he and Tino Mawoyo formed a good partnership for Zimbabwe’s test match team. Let’s hope that he learns his lesson and chooses not to spoil a good thing for himself and his team next time. While he is away, the team suffers too as the continuity is broken.

The road back is a tough one for him but I am pretty sure he will be back.