Malcom Speed - Has he PAID the PRICE for speaking the TRUTH?

Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, has been put on paid leave until his contract runs out on July 4. This is the price he has paid for speaking the truth with regard to the state of finances of Zimbabwe Cricket. In July last year, a confidential report by Speed and Faisal Hasnain, the ICC's chief financial officer was leaked in which Speed made a series of strong observations on Zimbabwe Cricket's finances . . . "It is clear that the accounts of ZC have been deliberately falsified to mask various illegal transactions from the auditors and the government of Zimbabwe. The accounts were incorrect and at no stage did ZC draw the attention of the users of these accounts to the unusual transactions. It may not be possible to rely on the authenticity of its balance sheet."

David Morgan, the ICC's president-elect, said: "This ... is the result of a fundamental breakdown in the relationship between the CEO and a number of board members, including the president, over a variety of issues that include Zimbabwe. "David Richardson, the ICC general manager - cricket, will serve as interim CEO until Speed's replacement, Haroon Lorgat, assumes the role at the ICC's annual conference at the beginning of July."

Speed had had a serious falling-out with Ray Mali, the president and a staunch supporter of Zimbabwe and of its officials, following the ICC executive's decision not to take any major action against Zimbabwe following an independent forensic audit carried out by KPMG. During the ICC's meeting in March 2008 a decision was taken to overlook the audit. Speed did not agree and refused to attend the traditional post-meeting media conference, explaining to the executive that he was not prepared to defend in public a decision with which he fundamentally disagreed. He wanted that the conduct of senior ZC officials should have been referred to the ethics committee. This has angered Mali and the current decision is a result of that rift.

A very sad day indeed. When the need of the hour is transparency we are presented with silencing of truth. Whatever his shortcomings and some unpopular decisions during his tenure, his sacking has only raised Speed's stature. It only raises questions - whether everything is above board at ICC. Haroon Lorgat has a lot on his hands even before he has joined as Chief Executive Officer. We, the lovers of cricket, believe he will not compromise the ethics and vindicate the stand taken by Malcom Speed.