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Your support makes all the difference.Henry Olonga, reportedly in hiding to avoid treason charges, has again been rebuked by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union for using the World Cup to make political statements.
Olonga announced his international retirement following Zimbabwe's defeat to Sri Lanka on Saturday, saying it was too dangerous for him to return to Harare. He is reportedly seeking asylum in England in the wake of his "death of democracy" protest against Robert Mugabe's regime during Zimbabwe's World Cup opener against Namibia in Harare.
Olonga is thought to be hiding in a "safe house" after Zimbabwean secret police officers travelled to East London, South Africa, to "escort" him to Harare, where the maximum penalty for treason is death.
A Zimbabwe cricket spokesman, however, insisted Olonga was with the squad. "I think it's all lies," Babu Meman, the team's media manager, said. "Henry is with the team, we're all at the hotel."
In a statement the ZCU said: "The Union notes with regret that in his statement announcing his official retirement Olonga has, in a clear act of continued insubordination, gone on to yet again use the platform of the ICC Cricket World Cup to make a political statement."
At the match against Namibia, Olonga and veteran batsman Andy Flower symbolically wore black armbands "to mourn the death of democracy" under Mugabe's regime. Flower, 34 and once the leading batsman in one-day cricket, also retired from internationals after the Sri Lanka match.
"My continued involvement with the Zimbabwean team has become untenable," Olonga said in his retirement statement. "The stand I took in the World Cup has had repercussions that have affected both my career and my personal life.
"If I were to continue to play for Zimbabwe in the midst of the prevailing crisis I would do so only by neglecting the voice of my conscience. I would be condoning the human rights violations that have been perpetrated – and continue to be perpetrated – against my countrymen."
Yesterday, Guy Whittall became the third Zimbabwe player to quit. "I have had 10 great years, I have enjoyed all of them but it's time to move on," he said. "I want to concentrate on the family business."
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