Zimbabwe’s stand-in skipper Brendan Taylor stirred up the World Cup when he apologised on behalf of his team for an article published by his country’s newspaper, Zimbabwe Herald, questioning Irish player John Mooney’s ethics in the game and asking whether a man who has fought alcoholism and depression is at all capable of being honest.
The article, written by Robson Sharuko, was triggered by a contentious catch Mooney had taken at the ropes to end Zimbabwean player Sean Williams’ inning when he was on 96 in the 47th over and his team just 5 runs short of defeating Ireland at Hobart. The catch threw Zimbabwe out instead. The controversy was around whether Mooney had stepped on the rope while taking that catch.
The apology came through a tweet posted by Taylor, saying: “On behalf of the Zimbabwe cricket team, we just want to express our apologies to @Irelandcricket and John Mooney for the unacceptable article.”
However, the Irish cricket board is contemplating legal action against the newspaper and the writer who may risk losing his World Cup accreditation if ICC finds currency in the complaint.
Sharuko suggested in his piece that Mooney’s much publicised battle with the bottle and his phases of depression were reason enough for him to not be relied upon, that too in the biggest moment of the game for his team.
The controversy — and the online article — broke when Ireland was playing India at Hamilton. Incidentally, Mooney dropped Shikhar Dhawan in that match and the Indian batter went on to score a ton against Ireland.
Sharuko, meanwhile, contended in his piece that Mooney’s foot stamped the rope when he was taking the catch. Mooney has been in the headlines earlier for giving radio talks and newspaper interviews on his fight against alcoholism and depression.
Condemning the “personal tirade” Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom issued a statement saying: “It would be easy to dismiss it (the story) as a childish diatribe if it wasn’t for the vicious personal attack on John which cannot pass without comment, and possible action. John represents his country with honour, distinction and integrity. That he does in the face of personal challenges about which he has spoken openly and movingly demonstrates incredible hard work and great courage.
“We understand, as does John, that public figures may occasionally be subject to negative comment. But in mocking John in such a contemptuous fashion, and using his personal difficulties as a mere punchline, the Zimbabwe Herald has demonstrated breath-taking crassness and a gross error of editorial judgement. “We have made contact with ICC to understand what remedies might be available to us,” the statement added.
Negating the article, Taylor blamed the ouster of his team to a “shambolic” performance. Zimbabwe are scheduled to play their last World Cup match against India at Auckland on Saturday though it remains to be seen what action ICC will take against Sharuko.