PERTH (Australia), July 30: Western Australia will not stand in the way of star batsman Murray Goodwin if he seeks a release from his contract with the state so he can play with Zimbabwe in next year’s World Cup, a senior state official said here Tuesday.

Goodwin, 29, has reportedly approached the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) about a return to international cricket with the country of his birth two years after he left that country to return to Perth, where he settled with his family when he was a child.

One year remains of his contract with Western Australia to play in the inter-State Sheffield Shield competition - considered the most demanding domestic competition in the world.

Goodwin has reportedly been told he would have to play in Zimbabwe’s domestic competition this summer if he wants to be considered for the World Cup squad for the one-day shootout starting early next year in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

ZCU managing director Vince Hogg has been quoted as saying Goodwin had approached the union with a view to playing again, but that there were many issues to be clarified before that could happen.

The right-hander has found the going tougher in his two past seasons with Western Australia, hitting 619 first-class runs at an average of 23.80.

His limited-overs form with the State has been better, especially in the 2000-01 season when he hammered 534 runs at an average of 76.28, with a competition-high best of 167.

Goodwin has recently extended his contract with Sussex, with whom he plays in the England county season.—AFP