Vermeulen faces arson charges

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HARARE – Zimbabwean cricketer Mark Vermeulen is facing arson charges following a fire (see photo p23) which destroyed the offices and pavilion of the country's cricket academy last week.
Vermeulen, 27, who played eight Test matches and 32 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe, has been described by friends as "depressed" following a recent car accident in which he suffered serious head injuries. He also suffered head injuries after being struck by a cricket ball in two separate incidents in 2003 and 2004.
Zimbabwean police spokesman Andrew Phiri said Vermeulen was being held in
custody and was scheduled in court Friday. He could be jailed for at least
two years.
Zimbabwe Cricket, the sport's governing body, quoted witnesses saying
Vermeulen was seen near the site of the fire that razed the two-storey straw
thatched building in eastern Harare.
SW Radio Africa reporter Tichaona Sibanda said: "Vermeulen allegedly
confessed to the police that he was responsible for the attacks and was seen
on Thursday in the company of detectives at the burnt-out academy showing
them how he carried out the attack."
The fire destroyed national squad equipment including kit used by players
preparing for a trip to Bangladesh, computers and files in offices at the
pavilion. There were no reports of injuries.
In September, Vermeulen was banned from playing in England for three years after throwing a ball at and brawling with spectators. Two of the three years were suspended.
Vermeulen was rumoured to have returned to Zimbabwe to fight for a place in
the team for next year's World Cup and may have been rebuffed by officials.
He was briefly arrested last month after demanding an interview with President Robert Mugabe at his heavily guarded official residence in Harare.
"He loves cricket, and loves playing the game but he clearly looks slightly
unbalanced. He deserves our help than condemnation," said Sibanda.
* Meanwhile, the ICC looks set to re-instate Zimbabwe as a Test-playing nation next year, provided it can improve its internal structure.
The ICC said Zimbabwe could return by November 2007 if it can establish a competitive first-class domestic competition, and play several 'A' sides in the next 12 months.
The announcements came after ICC president Percy Sonn and chief executive Malcolm Speed went on a fact-finding trip to the African nation earlier this year.
Zimbabwe withdrew from Tests in January after two years of playing a second-string side because of the retirement and defection of most of its first team after Heath Streak was dismissed as captain in April 2004. – Sports reporter