England-Zimbabwe cricket go-ahead

Anti-Mugabe protesters at the Lord's news conference.

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LONDON, England -- The England and Wales Cricket Board have announced their decision to fulfil next month's World Cup fixture in Zimbabwe.

The ECB had come under pressure from the government to withdraw the England side from their February 13 game against the tournament co-hosts in Harare in protest at President Robert Mugabe's regime.

The management board of the ECB met on Tuesday at Lord's to discuss the issue but decided not to bow to pressure to boycott the country.

Placard-wielding protesters invaded a news conference called to announce the decision. (Full story)

Chief among the ECB's concerns was the likely impact of a possible £1million fine from the International Cricket Council for failing to fulfil a contractual obligation to play the match.

The government had already removed any possibility of compensation for pulling out.

England will now begin the tournament as scheduled in Zimbabwe unless the ICC rule that it is unsafe for teams to travel to the country.

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