ICC confirms Zimbabwe matches

The ICC Board today confirmed that it saw no reason on the grounds of safety and security to move the ICC Cricket World Cup games to be staged in Zimbabwe.

Following his visit to Zimbabwe, ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed, advised that the Cricket World Cup Security Directorate had signed-off on the detailed Security Plan for the matches.

He also confirmed that the Directorate was of the view that the security arrangements in place would provide the necessary level of security to deal with the current threats in the country.

The Security Directorate comprises senior members of the South African Police Force and highly credential private security providers. As part of the preparations for the tournament, the Directorate has mandated the security arrangements for all aspects of the tournament and is responsible for delivering a safe and secure event.

In Zimbabwe, this security plan is to be implemented by the local security forces and local private security providers under the direction of the Security Directorate.

In addition to reporting on the advice of the Security Directorate, Mr Speed advised that he had also taken the opportunity to meet with a number of diplomats, including the High Commissioners for Australia and England during his time in Zimbabwe.

These diplomatic sources had also confirmed that while there had been a deterioration in Zimbabwe since the ICC inspection in November, there were no threats that were likely to compromise the safety and security of players and officials during the tournament.

Following this report, all members were given the opportunity to seek to change the decision of the Board but no country sought to do so.

ICC President, Malcolm Gray, reiterated the ICC's consistent stance that it was solely concerned with the safety and security of players and officials during their time in Zimbabwe.

"The ICC is an international organisation with membership with a diverse range of countries and views," said Mr Gray.

"Many months ago the issue of Zimbabwe was considered and the Board recognised that it did not have the mandate or ability to make political judgments.

"The ICC is a cricket body able to make proper decisions about cricket related issues and this is what the ICC is committed to do."

A decision on Kenya was deferred until next week.

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