ZC offers players contract extension

ZIMBABWE Cricket has offered a month’s contract extension for its players while talks over new deals drag on.

Wilfred Mukondiwa, the ZC chief executive officer told this publication that they had decided to keep all players on the same terms as negotiations over new contracts continue.

All the agreements between ZC and the players came to an end at the end of last month. The players are on national as well as high performance contracts.

“We decided to extend all contracts by one month, we are in talks over new contracts but we cannot say much because it is a delicate issue that needs to be handled carefully,’’ said Mukondiwa.

A total of 11 players are on national contracts while 13 have high performance deals. Those who are on national contracts include Elton Chigumbura, Hamilton Masakadza, Vusumuzi Sibanda, Sean Williams, Tendai Chatara, Sikandar Raza, Tinashe Panyangara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Regis Chakabva, and Graeme Cremer. With some of the players earning high salaries that were not complemented by performance on the field of play, they could be forced to take a pay cut as ZC look to bring their wage bill under manageable levels.

Office staff had their salaries cut when they entered into new deals. Former captain Chigumbura is the highest paid Zimbabwean cricketer with a monthly salary of $8 000 because of a deal sealed when he was still the team leader last year. It is highly unlikely that the all rounder will retain that kind of earning since he was overlooked for the two Test series against New Zealand in Bulawayo.

Sean Williams is the second highest paid player at $7 500 while there are a number of those who earn $5 000. Williams proved his worth to the national team with a maiden century in the first Test against New Zealand last month and it now makes it hard for ZC not to give him a similar deal to what he has now.