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Goodwin wants to return to Australia

Murray Goodwin, Zimbabwe's star number three batsman, says he is fed up with the "unprofessional" game at home and wants to move back to Australia.

According to a report in The West Australian newspaper Goodwin, who made a stylish 91 in Zimbabwe's historic one-off Test against Australia at Harare, said he would leave Zimbabwe if he could get a contract to play in Australia, preferably in Western Australia state.

Goodwin, 26, was born in Zimbabwe, but moved to Australia with his family in his teens. He was a fringe player for Western Australia for several seasons, and returned to Zimbabwe three years ago.

He was an immediate success in the Zimbabwe Test side and now averages 52.64 after 10 Tests.

The newspaper quoted Goodwin as saying that player payments in Zimbabwe were so low, despite good income from television rights, that he could not plan for his future.

He was paid at the annual level of a good Australian Sheffield Shield player, about 30,000 Australian dollars (US$19,350), but was frustrated at the lack of professionalism.

"The way the administration is being run in Zimbabwe at the moment, I would come back to Australia if I could get a good contract," he said.

"It would be a permanent move. It is very unprofessional here and they want us to play for the honour of the country, with minimal pay compared to their own income.

"Zimbabwe cricket is bringing in a lot of money for TV rights. There are not a lot of good cricketers in this country, but they have to look after us or the game will die out."

There is no immediate prospect, however, that Western Australia will bid for Goodwin.

Western Australian Cricket Association manager Rob Thompson said the state had already filled its 20 contracted positions for the new season.

Agencies