Zimbabwe cricketers refuse to play

Harare: The entire Zimbabwe squad of 35 players have formally refused to play any cricket under its national body because of pay dispute.

The protesting players claim their outstanding match fees and salaries have still not been paid.

According to the striking players, no contracted player would now be available for any kind of interational, regional or domestic match other than for their clubs.

Going by the uncertainty over the availability of the Zimbabwe players, West Indies is also considering cancelling its upcoming tour of Zimbabwe.

"Zimbabwe Cricket has really had it now," the players' representative Clive Field said.

"The players relented from a similar position to give ZC a further three weeks until the end of the month to pay the large sums of money owed them. But they are now simply walking away," he added.

The ZC board announced three weeks ago it would only play One-Dayers and not Test cricket amid accusations of financial irregularities over the past two years.

West Indies cricket chief executive Roger Brathwaite, meanwhile, said on Thursday his board is considering canceling the tour by Zimbabwe in May.

Brathwaite said alternative opponents had been sought but that none were available.

In a related move, the players' attorney Beatrice Mtetwa is examining a new ZC proposal for payment.

She is still expected to issue a summons against the organisation led by chairman Peter Chingoka.

A summon would trigger a High Court action for payment of more than $750,000 owed to the players in match fees and salaries going back six months.