A Cop Out Of The Worst Sort

Zimbabwe are at it again. Having confirmed that they would be playing Kenya in a 5 match series, they have now decided with barely a week to go that they will change it to a 3 match series. This time the excuse is 'financial reasons', but the effect remains the same. By messing around with the schedule, Zimbabwe continue to try to do off field what it is unlikely their players can do on it, and that is keep Kenya from overtaking them on the ODI table. The ICC must not tolerate this. Had Kenya played 5 matches in Zimbabwe, we would have played enough games by the end of March to be ranked on the table. A victorious tour would have meant that we would have overtaken them on the table, and would thus qualify for the Champions Trophy in their stead. Preventing Kenya from having the chance to do this is unsportsmanlike, and considering the ducking and weaving that has gone on from Zimbabwe in the past, a continuation of extremely poor form.
Aside from the points factor, this will also mean that the players will be out of pocket to the tune of two match fees. When they have had none for so long, this will be a hard pill to swallow. This sort of nonsense from Zimbabwe has gone on for too long, and it is time the ICC stepped in and did something about it. If the reasons are truly financial, Zimbabwe should have foreseen that before they committed to the 5 game series. To change it at this late date without penalty would be to let them get away with what is essentially robbery. Zimbabwe should forfeit the points from the two lost matches to Kenya, and they should be counted as qualifying matches towards the ICC rankings for Kenya. Further, Zimbabwe should still be liable to pay the match fees to the Kenya and Zimbabwe players who are now out of pocket.
Anything else would be a travesty of justice, and would seriously damage the reputation of the ICC and it's ability to control its members.