ICC World Cup: Uproar over Zimbabwe newspaper's 'alcoholic' jibe on Mooney

Hamilton Standin captain Brendan Taylor on Wednesday apologised on behalf of Zimbabwe cricket team for an article published by one of his countrys daily criticising Ireland pacer John Mooney over his boundaryline catch on Saturday that ended the hopes of the African side in the World CupMooney took the boundary catch which eliminated theAfricans from the World Cup in Hobart last SaturdayBut his matchwinning efforts were greeted in theZimbabwe Herald under the headline Alcoholic dumps Zim outof WC mocking theIrish allrounders battle withalcohol and depressionJohn MooneyOn behalf of the Zimbabwe cricket team we just want to express our apologies to Irelandcricket and John Mooney for the unacceptable article Taylor wrote on TwitterHis statement came after Cricket Ireland said it is considering legal action against Zimbabwe Herald after it published a heavily criticised article on Mooney reports cricketcomauIreland were playing against India on Tuesday when the piece by Zimbwawe Herald journalist Robson Sharuko was published online and immediately drew widespread condemnation from its readers and across social mediaTaylor shared a fifthwicket stand of 149 with SeanWilliams 96 but the game and Zimbabwes future in thetournament turned with Zimbabwe needing 32 to win off 20balls when Williams hooked Kevin OBrien towards deepmidwicket where Mooney reached high to grab the ballThere were doubts over whether the big Irishman hadtouched the boundary with his foot which would have resultedin a sixAs the decision was reviewed Williams left the field andthe catch stoodYouve got to take his Mooneys word for it saidTaylor in the immediate aftermath of the gameThe Zimbabwe Herald article questioned the Irishmanscredibility claiming the catch was a shameless piece offielding dishonesty is it possible for a person like Mooneyto be trustedSharukos report connects the catch to Mooneys battle with alcohol and depression which the Ireland pacer bravely detailed on radio in a bid to raise awareness about mental health issues for cricketersThe personal nature of the accusations prompted Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom to speak outIn relation to the story that has appeared in todayrsquos Zimbabwe Herald it would be easy to dismiss it as a childish diatribe if it wasnrsquot for the vicious personal attack on John which cannot pass without comment and possible action Deutrom said in a statementJohn 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 courageDeutrom added 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 breathtaking crassness and a gross error of editorial judgementWe have made contact with ICC to understand what remedies might be available to usHowever Taylor opted to blame his sides poor effort on the field for the loss as Ireland posted 8331We were shambolic to be honest in the field Taylor said after the match on SaturdayAgain weve dropped chances at crucial times and that was the difference between Ireland and us I think they were more hungry and they were a bit more energetic hence why they got over the lineZimbabwe play their final pool match against India at Aucklands Eden Park on Saturday