Zimbabwe’s Williams sacked over ‘drug addiction’

The cricket association of Zimbabwe has announced that former world champion Sean Williams has left the sport after joining a rehab program to treat drug addiction.

Zimbabwe Cricket claimed the all-rounder had declared himself unfit for national selection and that it would not place him again.

Williams, 39, has taken more than 150 wickets for his country in each of the three game formats, totaling almost 9, 000 runs.

Before a World Cup Africa Qualifier match in Harare in September, he withdrawn from the T20 team, and during an internal investigation into the causes of his withdrawal, he “disclosed that he has been struggling with drug addiction and has voluntarily entered rehab,” according to Zimbabwe Cricket.

The governing body added that “ZC has determined that Williams will no longer be taken into consideration for national selection” after taking into account all options.

ZC stated that it expects all contracted players to uphold the highest standards for professionalism, discipline, and compliance with team rules and anti-doping laws.

A review of Williams’ record reveals a history of disciplinary problems and unavailability, which has had an impact on team preparation and performance.

While ZC applauds him for seeking rehabilitation, ZC’s suggestion that resuming team work in situations involving potential testing raises serious questions for professional and ethical standards.

His national contract expiring on December 31 was stated as “not practicable.”

ZC sincerely acknowledges and values his enormous contribution to Zimbabwean cricket over the past 20 years, the statement continued.

Williams has left a lasting legacy both on and off the field in some of the most significant moments in recent history.