Decision based on careful consideration - Speed

The chief executive of the International Cricket Council, Malcolm Speed, has tonight been explaining why the ICC's technical committee rejected England's request for their World Cup match in Zimbabwe to be moved to South Africa.

"We have known the views of England right from the start when the team made their views known," Speed said. "We've evaluated the evidence and done the best we can to make the right decision.

"If that decision puts us in conflict with a team or certain members we're disappointed - but we've made what we feel is a fair and honest decision."

"The claim was put together at short notice and in front of me is a very comprehensive document. Some parts of it relied on hearsay and radio reports - and we've taken that into account.

"These matches have been scheduled for a long time. We said we'd take the safety and security of players into account and we've abided by that.

"This is not the first time this has happened - in 1996 the West Indies and Australia had concerns about playing in Sri Lanka. There was no right of appeal to a technical committee or judge and we've put those processes in place to have them tested."

Asked whether security would be stepped up for the Harare clash, he added: "There is a very significant amount of security around the players and the officials. In the last week or so the number of police personnel devoted to this match has increased.

"It is a very complicated security plan which surrounds the players and officials - the plan is there will be no additional security at this stage. There is a meeting with players and security experts tomorrow night and I'm happy to attend that meting if the invitation still stands."

World Cup executive director Ali Bacher said ahead of Sunday's opening match: "Since September 11 it's been a different world. This weekend we believe will be a great start to a great World Cup."