Compromise solutions on Snedden's agenda for South Africa

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden flew out for South Africa today armed with some possible compromises for New Zealand's decision not to play its World Cup match in Kenya.

Those were that the match be rescheduled in South Africa, or that one of the countries that voted for the game to go ahead transfer its match against Kenya to that country as a swap with New Zealand.

Snedden, in his only public comment before leaving the country, told Radio Sport, New Zealand's network sports station, that the International Cricket Council (ICC) would be extremely hard-pressed to say that New Zealand didn't have some grounds for its belief on the issue.

Snedden is making no further comment on matters until he has spoken with ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed when he reaches South Africa.

He is also making no comment on the possible legal options, if any, that are available to New Zealand on the matter.

There has been no involvement by the New Zealand Government in the matter and certainly no talk of it helping to compensate NZC in the manner that has happened in Australia which is having concerns about fulfilling its obligations to play in Zimbabwe.

Snedden was unmoved by pleas from Kenyan cricket authorities who pointed out that a round of the European Golf Tour is to be played in the country as well as a major volleyball competition and an international aid conference that will also involve security risk.

"I'm not looking at other events. I'm relying on information provided by security experts on the ground in Kenya," he said.

Snedden was also aware of a South African Police security report that was hastily made when it was realised there was a potential issue with New Zealand's stance. This had been provided in confidence to NZC, and NZC's security expert Reg Dickason had provided his comments on the police report.

This could not be released because of the confidentiality related to the police report but it was an update of the position from which NZC made their decision.

Snedden again pointed out that the Kenyans had been required to put in place a security plan but when it was checked that plan wasn't in place. The South Africans had responded to that situation but Snedden said it was all very to have a plan, but his area of concern related to the competency of people to implement the plan.

Snedden also backed the original security advice that Dickason received and NZC's stance on that.

"We don't have the ability to judge this [security], we rely on experts," he said.

"The security and safety of players is our priority."

There was room for compromise on the matter and he would be following that up after arriving in South Africa tomorrow.