CRICKET: Zimbabwe fast bowler Henry Olonga's future in the national team was thrown into doubt after his club, Takashinga, suspended him for issuing a joint statement criticising conditions in the troubled country.
Olonga and leading batsman Andy Flower signed the statement, which was released to the media and the other Zimbabwe players just before the start of the World Cup match against Namibia at Harare Sports Club.
It read: "We are deeply distressed about what is taking place in Zimbabwe in the midst of the World Cup and do not feel that we can take the field without indicating our feelings in a dignified manner and in keeping with the spirit of cricket.
"We cannot in good conscience take to the field and ignore the fact that millions of our compatriots are starving, unemployed and oppressed.
"We are aware that hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans may even die in the coming months through a combination of starvation, poverty and AIDS.
"Although we are just professional cricketers, we do have a conscience and feelings.
"We believe that if we remain silent that will be taken as a sign that either we do not care or we condone what is happening in Zimbabwe. We believe that it is important to stand up for what is right."
As Zimbabwe took on Namibia, the duo wore black armbands to mourn the "death of democracy in their country".
Craig Wishart smashed 172 as Zimbabwe piled up 340-2 off their 50 overs to record the highest individual score by a Zimbabwean batsman in one-day internationals.
It was easily enough to see off debutants Namibia, who reached 104-5 off 25.1 overs when rain brought an early conclusion with Zimbabwe declared the winners on the Duckworth-Lewis method by 86 runs.
Meanwhile, Sanath Jayasuriya struck a sparkling century to inspire Sri Lanka to a comprehensive 47-run win over New Zealand in their opening World Cup Group B match yesterday. The Sri Lanka captain blasted 120 off 125 balls to help the 1996 champions amass a daunting total of 272 for seven before New Zealand, despite a magnificent 141 by Scott Styris, collapsed to 225 all out in front of a sparse crowd at Goodyear Park.
