England to request Zimbabwe match move

The England and Wales Cricket Board is to ask the World Cup technical committee to reschedule England's World Cup match against Zimbabwe.

A statement confirming the move was released by the ECB this afternoon. The six-man technical committee has taken responsibility for the matches from the world governing body, and will make a decision on the ECB's request later this week.

The ECB stament added: "The England captain, head coach and the Professional Cricketers Association are fully aware, and supportive of, the ECB's intentions to ask for the match to be moved."

The ECB's director of corporate affairs John Read added: "We've always said we'll closely monitor the situation in Zimbabwe and we feel in the last couple of days there has been a deterioration there.

"It leads us to believe there are real security concerns. The important thing to emphasise is the players and the Professional Cricketers' Association, who we have been working closely with, are fully appreciative of the steps we've taken today."

The International Cricket Council has confirmed that it has been informed of the request. The ICC's chief executive, Malcolm Speed, said that it is the first time that a country has sought such a review.

"Prior to this request from the ECB, no country has sought a review of the ICC decision to stage games in Zimbabwe," said Mr Speed.

The ECB request is provisionally scheduled to be heard by the ICC Cricket World Cup Technical Committee in Cape Town on Thursday, 6 February.

The ECB has asked for the hearing to proceed as a matter of urgency, and the ICC is establishing the availability of the Committee members.