Write to: John Ward (jward@cricinfo.com)

I read with 'concern' the article that was headed "Security concerns and rain cloud Harare Test", that was submitted onto the net on 8 November 2002. Please allow me to air my views on this article.

My name is Doug Gendall, ex-Zimbabwean, now residing in Auckland, New Zealand. I worked for a Security Company in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and for the final two years of my employ there, was contracted out by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union to head the Security for visiting Test-playing nations to Zimbabwe. I have covered Security for teams such as England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Australia, India, Bangladesh and South Africa. My job was to co-ordinate the security arrangements whilst these teams were within the borders of Zimbabwe, and also report to the Zimbabwe Cricket Union if I felt that the team in question was under 'threat' whilst there.

Of all the teams I had the pleasure of dealing with, this never happened ONCE. All teams arrived in the country, played their cricket and left, not unhappy, but with sincere memories of such a wonderful country. I was in a position where I was being passed comments directly from the players, and never once was there a 'wicked word' uttered about the country they were in.

Regarding the article, and the fact that a particular comment was raised about '30 guards ringing the field', totally surprised me. What is 30 guards? For the one-day internationals that I dealt with when the Aussies were in Zimbabwe, I had 65 day-shift guards on duty at Queens Cricket ground in Bulawayo. What was the end result? - "A safe place to be whilst one enjoys a good day's cricket."

Peter Chingoka, President of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, is quite correct in his comments regarding security. Peter Chingoka's job is Cricket, and Security's job is security.

Before a Test-playing nation arrives, meetings have already taken place with regard to Security. Most of these meetings are held with management of the actual cricket ground itself. Meetings are actually held on the pitch itself so areas of concern can be picked up physically, as opposed to looking at a diagram in a board room. I have been present in very many of these meetings, and the management of the various sports clubs looked to me for advice and I duly gave it to them. It was then decided on the number of guards that would be deployed on the day of the match.

The Security Guards on duty are not there to counter-attack an aerial invasion of foreign forces into the country; no, they are simply there to protect the people watching the game from unruly elements, such as bag snatchers, drunkards and your general 'lets look for trouble' man/woman. When I was heading the Security for the teams that visited Zimbabwe, I had security guards placed in positions that I knew would be effective: at the main gates, by the changing rooms, on the perimeter fences, in the car parks and, most of all, on the ring of the pitch itself. In fact, had I had my own way, I would have had 130 guards on the ring of the pitch, not 30. These guards on the ring of the pitch are there for several reasons.

They are there to avoid pitch invasions; they are there to (try to) prevent people from throwing missiles onto the pitch with the aim of hitting an outfielder. They are there during the lunch breaks to prevent people from entering the crease area to vandalize it. The security guard on the ring of the pitch has a vital job of work to do, and it is through his long hours that he endures in the sun and the rain that enables the paying public to enjoy a day's cricket.

Yes, the last thing Zimbabwe needs is a breach of security just months away from the World Cup. What would it look like if there was a 2000-strong pitch invasion in Harare at the end of the First Test? What would the ZCU look like if a visiting team reported that their kit had been stolen from their changing rooms?

This is all part of security. I believe it has nothing to do with the unfortunate economical climate in Zimbabwe; if it has, it plays a small part, but the majority responsibility of security at the ground itself is, naturally, to protect the players, to protect the public, and let all the thousand of supporters enjoy their outing, knowing that security is in place to look after them.

I have been in the continual presence of the likes of Tendulkar, Lara and Pollock and many more of the 'big guns' of world cricket, and never once was a negative comment passed onto me about Zimbabwe. In fact, a lot of them actually told me that they 'would love to return for a holiday.'

One more comment, please. If something goes missing at the cricket ground during a match, who is blamed? - the police or security? If there is a problem to be solved, who is called? - police or security? In both instances, it is always security.

Peter Chingoka was quite correct in what he said. In fact, on a lighter note, Peter Chingoka's lovely wife was once questioned by one of my security guards as to why she was trying to enter the VIP area at Harare Sports Club. Because she had no identity on her, my guards refused her entry. This is proper and correct security. She was eventually 'rescued' by someone who knew her.

Having guards at a cricket ground does not imply that they are there on 'red alert'. They are there to look after the people, even YOU. Visit my little website for some of the more interesting aspects of my life with the rich and famous, as in the legends of world cricket: www.dougendall.cjb.net.

Thank you for taking time to read this letter. I had to clear my mind of this article that was released. Feel free to respond to my email, I would like to hear them, feel free to show this e mail to Peter Chingoka himself, or any member of the Zimbabwe cricket team. They will confirm who I am, and also confirm the long hours I spent with the visiting teams ensuring their safety whilst in beautiful Zimbabwe.

Doug Gendall (Auckland, New Zealand)

I've just seen the First Test squad and noticed that Travis Friend isn't in there, so what's the story there? Also a bit of a surprise to see Blessing Mahwire in there.

I just read the latest issue of the Zimbabwe weekly cricket magazine online and just wanted to know how do you get all your interviews with the players? Is it you that does these interviews with them or someone else? Being in your line of work I guess you've met most of the Zimbabwean cricketers.

Adam Pfeiffer (Australia)

Reply: Travis picked up a leg strain so may not have been fit, but he has not been in the best bowling form this season. Yes, I do all interviews myself; ZCO is unfortunately a one-man show now, so everything is my own work unless otherwise credited!

I couldn't agree more with your criticism of Jacques Kallis. I cannot understand how a player can be happy with any score he makes which is a result of cheating. Any victory achieved by such methods is a dubious one to say the least.

It is good to see someone speaking out against such practice as it is something about which I feel very strongly. Just how good is a player who averages are achieved by 'dishonest' play?

Your view on this subject will be read by a lot of people... that can be no bad thing... though it will probably be dismissed as old-fashioned by those who don't agree.

Beverly Treml (England)

The ophthalmologists think Mr Venkat can't see properly so they provide him with specs but now with day two's shocking decision against Andy Flower he quickly needs the services of an ENT specialist as his ears don't function properly now. He did similarly to Andy Flower in the series in 2000 between India and Zim, and what a turnaround that was in the outcome of the series.

The world's best batsman scored 540 runs in the two-Test series. He may have scored more but Venkat had other ideas. This year also he gave a shocker against Carlisle in the Nagpur Test. He may have earned the respect of millions by his umpiring but I'm sorry to write that though I'm an Indian I don't have any respect for him.

I know my words may sound harsh but when Umpire Robinson can accused so heavily why can't he? The shocking decision by Venkat and Shoaib's petulant behaviour were the two forgettable things on day two. But cricket is a great game and I'm so happy to write that what I remember most is the cute, innocent face of Taibu when he reached his 50.

As for Mr Venkat, with today's decision his aging body desperately needs best rest. I wish him all luck but only OFF THE FIELD.

Dr Situ Phalswal (India)

Now first but not least why isn't the academy team participating in the Logan Cup this time around? I feel that's a negative move to exclude them. Second, who selects the 'selectors'? Lastly have Neil & Murray cut all ties with Zim cricket?

Anele Bango (Aberdeen, Scotland)

Reply: 1) The Academy season begins in January, along with the Zimbabwe school year, so now that the Logan Cup is played throughout the season, September to April, it is no longer possible to play the same Academy team throughout. 2) The selectors are appointed by the ZCU Board. 3) Yes, neither Neil Johnson nor Murray Goodwin has any connections with Zimbabwe cricket any longer.

The First Test is just over and it's yet another disappointing defeat. Not because the Zim team is weak, but it's due to the quota system and the incompetence of the selectors. Only those players in good form should have been selected. Masakadza and Mahwire are good players, but Rennie and Vermeulen were in better form to open the batting. Masakadza is not an opener. I wonder when will the selectors open their eyes and give a chance to Vermeulen? Marillier, the best batsman of the Logan Cup, has not been selected yet - why?

Sean Ervine would have been a better choice than Mahwire. For me Barney Rogers is the most promising player in the future and I hope the selectors will give him a chance to prove he is a good all-rounder, perhaps for the Second Test.

Could you please give us in a future issue of ZCO the Under-14, Under-16 and Under-19 squads for the cricket weeks in South Africa next month? I would also like to invite other Zim cricket fans to share their views with me by email on the matches.

Patrick Sepulveda (France) - Email: psepulveda@wanadoo.fr.

I would like to comment on the just ended first Test between Zimbabwe and Pakistan. I would like to query the criteria used by Selectors as to choosing the final 11. As we all know Pakistan has some talented batsmen. Who in their right mind would choose Mahwire to be bowling and actually becoming successful? We have the likes of Hondo, Matambanadzo, Travis Friend, to mention a few. So why bother send them send to Australia for training and not use them? Please wake up and start pulling your socks, because it's you the selectors letting us down.

Hamilton has failed and personally I feel he ain't no opener. There is Gavin Rennie, a natural opener, then you give us Hamilton. He did well in his first Test but it doesn't mean he is the best coz he ain't. I can possibly say there are several openers that can be used - for instance, Grant, Rennie to mention a few. Then I don't know why Whittall is playing because he has not been performing well. Please give us a quality team because we love the sport and the country.

I would like to congratulate Taibu for playing the way he has because it needs a lot of confidence to bat the way he has. Well played the Flower brothers, Ebrahim, Henry, Blignaut and Price.

Wallace Manyara (Zimbabwe)

I am a young Zimbabwe cricket fan. In india I have my own cricket club, Sanjayfarm cricket club and cricket ground. After Tendulkar Zimbabwe is my favourite team. I have a keen interest in Zimbabwe cricket. From 1982 I know almost every cricketer's name and records. From that I have made an all-time great Zimbabwe 14.

1. A Campbell
2. N Johnson
3. M Goodwin
4. G Hick (vc)
5. A Flower (wk)
6. D Houghton
7. D Fletcher (c)
8. H Streak
9. K Curran
10. P Strang
11. J Traicos
12. G Flower
13. P Rawson
14. E Brandes

I hope you like my 14. Your Zimbabwe Cricket Online is vvs for me.

Swetal Desai (India)

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