The last thing beleaguered Zimbabweans are wanting in these turbulent times is to be stabbed in the back by those who claim to be on our side. Yet many are thinking that is exactly what the Australian government and their cricket Board of Control have done by cancelling the tour.

It is impossible to guarantee total security for any team on any tour, but all we can honestly say in Zimbabwe is that conditions for the visiting Australians are scarcely more dangerous than they have ever been for any tourists. They would never have gone near any of the problem areas in the country, and the chances of any danger to any of them were absolutely minimal.

This is scarcely the place to talk politics, but I am willing to give my personal views of the situation to readers outside the country, should they wish to contact me personally.

On the other hand, the effects of the cancellation can only be to the detriment of Zimbabwe cricket. In this current difficult situation, people need something to distract their attention, to provide another side of life, and what better than following a tour by the best team in the world? Now this is denied them.

A number of players are probably considering emigration. Apart from the local situation, they could make more money playing elsewhere, as Murray Goodwin and Neil Johnson have done. Now their chances of representing their country have been brutally reduced, especially at home, the temptation will be greater. We noted not so long ago a number of good players just outside the Test team who have already done that.

Financially the loss is very serious. We rely more than any other country on television revenue, and this season we have only had short tours by South Africa and England. How can cricket in this country develop without money? The Australians were a major attraction, and whatever the results their tour would have been a massive financial success for Zimbabwe.

The reaction of the ICC is deeply disappointing. It appears they have not even troubled to investigate the situation, but merely accepted the Australian refusal that throws their five-year plan into further disarray.

It is difficult enough in normal circumstances to build a team from this small country. When the present troubles are over, will Zimbabwe still have the resources to compete at international level at all? If Australia and the ICC are content to have this tour cancelled - and their lead may well be followed by others - are they content to see cricket in Zimbabwe wither as a consequence?

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In this issue we have, unexpectedly, two interviews with Stuart Carlisle, one by Trishna Bose conducted while he was in India, and one by Larry Moyo who contacted him on his return for his views on that tour.

We also continue with biographies of the Academy players, this week's being opening batsman and leg-spinner Neeten Chouhan, and we update the biography of former Academy and current Matabeleland all-rounder Mathew Townshend. More players were interviewed, but our busy schedule during the last week means they well have to be held over for the present. At least the postponement of the two Harare Logan Cup matches scheduled for this weekend (until 19 April) will give us a chance to catch up on the backlog.

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