Mupariwa before and after.

Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

IF REGGAE legend Bob Marley thought he had 'liberated' Zimbabwe, he would be turning in his grave to know what is happening now - especially to the dreadlocked cricketers.

Several dreadlocked cricketers now playing in the ICC Cricket World Cup were asked to cut their locks by the Zimbabwe Cricket Board before coming to the tournament.

Zimbabwe cricket communications manager, Lovemore Banda, told The Gleaner on Monday that the general idea was to have all the players looking uniform.

Said Banda: "The cricket committee of Zimbabwe Cricket Board decided that in terms of uniformity, appearance and neatness, the players needed to look to be the best representatives they could be for their country and therefore they recommended those who wear locks cut them."

In the 1970s, Marley, who popularised the Rastafarian religion, produced tracks such as Zimbabwe, Africa Unite, Wake Up and Live and Survival, which reflected Marley's support for the struggles of Africans.

In early 1980, he was invited to perform at the April 17 celebration of Zimbabwe's Independence Day.

He made Zimbabwe popular through his hit song Zimbabwe which had a punch line that 'every man gotta right to decide his own destiny'...

The song continues: And in this judgement there is no partiality

So arm in arms, with arms we will fight this little struggle.

'Cause that's the only way we can overcome our little trouble.

Brother, you're right, you're right

You're right, you're right, you're so right

We gonna fight, we'll have to fight

We gonna fight, fight for our rights

Natty dread it ina Zimbabwe

Set it up ina Zimbabwe

Mash it up ina Zimbabwe

Africans a liberate Zimbabwe.

Players like Tawanda Mupariwa, Keith Dabengwa and Stuart Matsinkenyeri had to conform to the Zimbabwe board request and trim their locks.

Players consented

Mupariwa, just like the biblical Samson, probably lost his power and was savagely hit for three successive sixes by Chris Gayle in one over.

When quizzed if the players refused, what would have happened? Banda stated it was much easier to deal with what happened. "The point is that we wanted the players to cut their locks and they consented," he said.

"There were some who were in the process of growing them. They also wanted those players to look as presentable as possible," noted Banda.Young captain, 21-year-old Prosper Utseya, said the players weren't happy but gave in to the board's demand.

Said Utseya: "Obviously they didn't like it but cricket is a gentleman's game so we have to be disciplined - especially for the youngsters coming into the team".

He continued: "In Zimbabwe it's not a religion, it's a fashion thing".

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