ICC calls board teleconference to determine status of Zimbabwe v Australia matches

The International Cricket Council today announced a Board meeting by telephone on Friday 21 May 2004 at 12.30pm (BST) to determine if the scheduled matches between Zimbabwe and Australia should be accorded Test Match status.

ICC President Ehsan Mani and ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed called the meeting over concerns expressed by the international cricket community about the integrity of Test cricket that have arisen following the performances of an under-strength Zimbabwe team.

The meeting follows on from:

Mr Mani said that Mr Speed met with representatives of the ZCU earlier today.

"The decision by the ZCU to withdraw its invitation to Malcolm Speed was unfortunate," said Mr Mani.

"Instead, he met with Peter Chingoka, the Chairman of the ZCU and its Chief Executive, Vince Hogg, on the understanding that they would relay to the full Board the view of the international cricket community on the importance of preserving the integrity of Test cricket at its meeting today.

"The ZCU has now indicated that it intends to proceed with these matches as Test matches and I have called a meeting of the ICC Executive Board to establish clearly if the ICC Directors believe that affording these matches Test status is appropriate."

The ICC Executive Board is made up of a Director from each Test playing nation.

The Directors are:

Australia           Bob Merriman
Bangladesh          Mohammad Ali Ashgar MP
England             David Morgan
India               Jagmohan Dalmiya
New Zealand         Sir John Anderson
Pakistan            Shaharyar Khan
Sri Lanka           Mohan De Silva
South Africa        Ray Mali
West Indies         Teddy Griffiths
Zimbabwe            Peter Chingoka

Also on the Board are three members from the ICC Associate Members.

They are:

Holland             Rene van Ierschot
Kenya               Jimmy Rayani
Malaysia            HRH Tunku Imran

Each member has a vote and a motion requires the support of seven of the 10 Directors to succeed.

Mr Mani chairs the meetings while Mr Speed is an Executive Director. Neither has a vote.

Mr Mani confirmed that the ICC's concern was the integrity of Test cricket and that it continued to respect the ZCU's position in relation to its dispute with a group of its players.

"There is a long standing precedent within cricket that the ICC does not interfere in disputes between Boards and their players without an invitation from the Board to do so. This has applied recently during disputes between New Zealand and its players and Australia and its players.

"Where the ICC is clearly involved is in its duty to protect the interests of the international game and it is for this reason that I have called this Board meeting.

"It now up to the Directors of the International Cricket Council to determine if these matches should have Test status or not and to exercise their judgment as to what course of action best protects the integrity of the international game."

For further information: