ICC announces outcome of teleconference

The ICC Executive Board held a teleconference today to discuss concerns that any members had about the scheduling of any match during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003.

ICC President Malcolm Gray said: "The ICC board recognises that the safety and security of players and official is its first priority.

"It recognises that cricket is played in dangerous places and cities throughout the world and that comprehensive security plans are essential in order to manage these risks.

"Today the board met by telephone to consider the safety and security issues in relation to matches in Zimbabwe and Kenya."

The issue of matches scheduled in Zimbabwe was raised but no member sought to have any of the games moved. It was highlighted that some of the members do have concerns about the safety and security of their players and officials.

In light of these concerns, the ICC has offered to provide a detailed briefing on the security arrangements for the matches concerned to board officials and players representatives as soon as possible.

Mr Gray said: "In relation to Zimbabwe, no country sought to have its games relocated and accordingly, no decision was required.

"However, the cricket boards from England and Wales, Australia and Holland did express concern, and in particular concern raised by their players, over their scheduled matches in Zimbabwe."

New Zealand Cricket requested to have their match scheduled for February 21st in Nairobi to be moved on the grounds of safety and security. The ICC Board saw no compelling reason to move the match from Kenya.

All reports received by the Board in relation to the safety and security situation in Kenya will be forwarded to the ICC Cricket World Cup Security Directorate for it to ensure that the appropriate steps are taken to address the concerns expressed.

Mr Gray added: "In relation to Kenya, New Zealand Cricket sought to have its game relocated. This was opposed by Kenya.

"In light of the extensive reports it had received, the ICC executive board determined that there were not sufficient reasons to move the games.

"In seeking to have the games relocated, New Zealand Cricket provided a security report in support of its position and the ICC Executive Board referred this report and the reports provided by its own advisers to the Security Directorate to ensure that they were properly considered in the security planning for this match.

"New Zealand also suggested that any of the countries in its side of the draw that was comfortable with matches being played in Kenya, could swap with New Zealand."

The ICC's Executive Board has used the following experts to assist in making its decisions:

The Security Directorate is accountable and responsible for the security at all ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 matches. It is lead by senior serving members of the South African Police Services who provided the security for the recent Earth Summit and by senior members of the security industry in South Africa.

The Directorate has developed an extensive plan to deal with the security threats for the tournament based on the security arrangements used for the Sydney Olympic Games.

The ICC has sent Safety and Security Delegations to Zimbabwe and Kenya to meet with relevant stakeholders including senior diplomats based in the country that represent all the teams scheduled to play there.

The meetings in Zimbabwe were followed up during a recent visit by ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed.

These diplomats in Zimbabwe and Kenya provided an up to date picture of the safety and security situation on the ground for nationals of various countries.

The ICC recently commissioned an independent report by a leading international security firm to assess the safety and security risks in Zimbabwe and Kenya. This report provided the Board with an independent assessment of the threats to player and official safety and security.

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