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Zimbabwe cricket games to go ahead
LONDON, England -- Cricket's governing body, the ICC, has said matches will go ahead in Zimbabwe during next month's world cup, despite fears over players' safety. The International Cricket Council said on Friday it saw "no reason" to reschedule matches to South Africa on grounds of safety and security. Speed visited Zimbabwe earlier this week. He said: "There is no reason on the grounds of safety and security to relocate the matches scheduled to be played in Zimbabwe." He added: "We are aware of, and have some sympathy, considerable sympathy, for the people. Our focus is on the safety of players. That has been our consistent thought throughout." The matches have also faced opposition from British and Australian governments which urged their teams not to play in the south-African country in protest at President Robert Mugabe's regime, although both teams have resisted the calls. (Full Story) Mugabe has come under international criticism for his policies which opponents say have caused deteriorating economic conditions and civil unrest. ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said although the Zimbabwe games will be played as scheduled, a question mark remains over two matches that are scheduled to be played in Kenya. The decision to go ahead in Zimbabwe was made during a two-hour meeting between the ICC's chairman, vice-president and 10 full members from different countries, as well as three representatives from its 27 associate member countries. About 433 police officers have been assigned to each of the six matches scheduled to be staged in Zimbabwe -- three in Harare, three in Bulawayo, Speed revealed. New Zealand and Sri Lanka are due to play two matches in Kenya against the Kenyan cricket team. "There are some concerns about safety," Speed said. "The board was not able to resolve that today. We will have a further meeting probably Thursday or Friday. We are seeking further information about that."
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