 Flower pictured during the difficult World Cup campaign |
Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower considered trying to organise a team boycott from the World Cup earlier this year, it has emerged. But he felt uncomfortable forcing his beliefs on others, he told Australia's Inside Sport magazine.
Flower and bowler Henry Olonga created a storm at the tournament when they wore black armbands during Zimbabwe's match against Namibia.
They were protesting against president Robert Mugabe's oppressive regime.
Both players retired from international cricket after the World Cup.
Flower is playing for South Australia and Essex while Olonga is now a media pundit and musician.
Flower revealed in the magazine article that a former player rang him just before the World Cup to ask him to pull the team out of the tournament.
"He wanted me to influence the whole team," Flower said.
"I seriously tossed the idea around but in the end I told him I couldn't do that.
"It wasn't up to me to persuade others. They have to do what they think is right."
Flower said the participation of Olonga in the protest was important to its success.
"The most important thing was that a black man had to be involved," Flower said.
"It would have been pointless if I just did it. It would have been too easy to dismiss it as 'white imperialist'.
"As soon as I put it to (Olonga), he was straight up - it was an amazing reaction."
Flower criticized Zimbabwe coach, Australian Geoff Marsh, and captain Heath Streak, saying he was disappointed at their lack of support.
"There was a lot of unpleasantness there," Flower said.
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The most important thing was that a black man had to be involved 