The brave protest by Andy Flower and Henry Olonga, while highlighting the problems in Zimbabwe, also ensured that the team lived under a political microscope.

It was hardly surprising that they failed to capitalise on the points they picked up through England's boycott.

That ensured they qualified for the Super Six having only actually beaten Namibia and the Netherlands.

They failed to make an impact in the latter stages and it was hardly the send-off a great servant like Andy Flower would have wanted.

Zimbabwean cricket is now at a crossroads, and we can expect a very different team to tour England in May.

One can only hope that the situation in the country improves to the extent that the players can concentrate purely on playing cricket again.