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| The ZIMBABWE Situation | Our
thoughts and prayers are with Zimbabwe - may peace, truth and justice prevail. |
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Small told BBC Five Live that allowing the African country to hold World Cup fixtures would send out false signals of support for the policies of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.
Small, a member of the Players Council, said he would urge players not to support the International Cricket Council's decision to give Zimbabwe the green light.
 A couple of the England players refused to travel to Pakistan - there
could be a similar scenario with Zimbabwe Gladstone Small |
"Sometimes we need to look at the wider issues and not hide behind the excuse that politics shouldn't get in the way of sport," he said.
"We need to look at the consequences of our actions and think about who's involved."
Small compared travelling to Zimbabwe to the controversial England tour of South Africa in 1989, under the captaincy of Mike Gatting.
"It's a personal decision but I would not be able to live with the situation in Zimbabwe," he said.
"I would feel as if I was supporting a system that is not benefitting the nation - it's a decision I took with South Africa a long time ago when I refused to go."
England captain Nasser Hussain has said he is happy with the ICC's decision, but Small said that should not stop players deciding to boycott the trip.
"The cricket authorities have made their decision - it now comes down to indivudual players," he said.
Streak said security would not be an
issue |
"A couple of the England players refused to travel to Pakistan because of the security issues and there could be a similar scenario with Zimbabwe."
But Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak insisted the ICC had made the correct decision, and said the security of players would not be threatened.
Streak told the BBC World Service: "We're looking forward to hosting those matches. We try not to get involved in the political side.
"I believe sport and politics can't mix.
"The security of the teams coming here is perfect. I think things should go ahead."
Streak has been affected by the seizure of agricultural land in the country with his family having earned a living through farming.
But Heath believes the decision to host matches in Bulawayo and Harare is an important step for the sport in the country.
He said: "We've had our fair share of problems but we are working our way through that to continue farming and make a living.
"Cricket is a huge foreign currency and Zimbabwe needs the foreign currency provided by the game of cricket."
Our
Vision
To focus on God’s kingdom vision and to work together with him and each other to build a kingdom community that promotes justice and peace and works for the total well-being of our people.
Immediate Objectives
The crisis situation in which we find ourselves dictates a number of urgent priorities to which we commit ourselves by way of immediate and short-term objectives. These include the following:
·
the funding,
purchase and distribution of basic food requirements to as many as possible of
those in this region who are facing starvation – the distribution to be strictly
on the basis of human need and without regard to race, ethnic origin, political
affiliation or other such
criteria;
· stand united against the violence and
lawlessness which are spiralling out of control in the post-election period and
causing untold suffering to our
people;
· an act of
Christian solidarity as we offer succour to and stand alongside the many victims
of violence and lawlessness in our
society;
· a call for a
rerun of the presidential election under international supervision and within
the shortest time frame possible;
Furthermore, taking note that individual Christian leaders (including some of our own number) who have taken a stand for Kingdom values, have been subjected to various forms of harassment and intimidation, we commit ourselves to support one another, and others “persecuted for the sake of righteousness”, through a network of caring and solidarity.
Regards
Mike Lander
