da bet7： The International Cricket Council have restated their position thatEngland’s World Cup match against Zimbabwe in Harare on February 13th willgo ahead as planned, following today’s teleconference over security at thetournament
Ralph Dellor30-Jan-2003The International Cricket Council have restated their position thatEngland’s World Cup match against Zimbabwe in Harare on February 13th willgo ahead as planned, following today’s teleconference over security at thetournament.According to the ICC as neither England nor Australia or the Netherlands -the other countries that had expressed concern about going to Zimbabwe – hadrequested a change of venue, no decision had to be taken by ICC. New Zealandhad requested that their fixture in Nairobi be switched but the ICC saidthat it was felt “there were not sufficient reasons to move the game.”In making the announcement at a press conference in London, ICC chiefexecutive Malcolm Speed said: “On the issue of Zimbabwe no country sought tohave the matches moved so no decision was required."Concerns have been raised by England, Australia and Holland over scheduledmatches. We need to sit down with these countries to see if adequatesecurity is in place. No-one went to the stage of requesting a formalmotion.”Although the ECB delegate, new chairman David Morgan, did not formallyrequest a change of venue, the ECB issued a statement immediately after theannouncement in which it said Mr Morgan did “make strong remarks to theboard about the broader issue of safety and security at all matches.”The ECB statement also made it clear that the captain, Nasser Hussain, wasfully briefed by the chairman last night on the approach he was going totake.Morgan gave his account of what happened during the meeting. "It was clearfrom the mood of the teleconference that there was an implacable andoverwhelming feeling that the recommendations of the report should beaccepted,” he said.Morgan added: “I want to put the broader issue of the possibility of civilunrest and the threat of terrorism into very stark perspective.”If there are demonstrations and rioting in Harare during the England versusZimbabwe match this is not just an issue for the two countries directlyconcerned it is an issue for all the countries taking part in the World Cup.”We should all be concerned about this matter, just as we should all beconcerned about any safety and security concerns in Kenya affecting NewZealand, Kenya and Sri Lanka.”The security risk at all matches will, of course, vary according to wherethe match is being played and which countries are taking part in the match.”In that sense, the risk factor at each match must be individually assessedand evaluated.”If there are significant security and safety problems, it will blight thewhole 2003 World Cup with an indelible stain.”It will reflect very badly on cricket and, indeed, everyone associated withthe World Cup. No one will escape blame. We will all have to bear collectiveresponsibility.”If, in the next few days/weeks, there is a discernible deterioration insafety and security surrounding particular matches then decisions must beurgently reviewed and, if necessary, matches moved. We must all reserve ourright for this to happen.”The ICC’s decision was taken after lengthy consultations with all boards,player representatives, the diplomatic corps, the World Cup organisingcommittee which takes responsibility for all security matters, and securityconsultants, Kroll, who had been asked for a report on the situation.The Kroll report, according to the ECB statement, was “categorical in itsultimate assessment that it is safe and secure for all six matches inZimbabwe to proceed as planned. It was clear from the mood of theteleconference that there was an implacable and overwhelming feeling thatthe recommendations of the report should be accepted.”This is the same organisation that reported to the State Department inWashington who have issued the following advice to United States citizens:”The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel toZimbabwe. Zimbabwe is in the midst of political, economic, and humanitariancrises with serious implications for the security situation in the country.All U.S. citizens in Zimbabwe are urged to take those measures they deemappropriate to ensure their well being, including consideration of departurefrom the country.”Dealing with the point about New Zealand’s match against Kenya in Nairobi,Mr Speed said: “New Zealand sought to have the game relocated. This wasopposed by Kenya.”New Zealand provided a report into the security situation but the decisionthe board made was there were not sufficient reasons to move the game fromKenya.”As from next week, the conduct of the event passes to the World CupOrganising Committee. Among the personnel on that committee are MalcolmSpeed, another Australian in ICC commercial director Campbell Jamieson andWorld Cup director Dr Ali Bacher. They are joined by two former players inSunil Gavaskar from India and Michael Holding from the West Indies and amember of the South African board, Brian Basson.