ICC confirms ECB request to refer Zimbabwe match to Technical Committee

The ICC today confirmed that the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has requested that the ICC Cricket World Cup Technical Committee review the safety and security situation in Zimbabwe ahead of the England game in Harare scheduled for 13 February 2003.

ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed, said that the request is the first time a country has sought to review the ICC Executive Board's decision to stage the match in Zimbabwe.

"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 hearing will take place in camera with the decision of the Committee being made public following the hearing.

The Technical Committee consists of the following people:

Malcolm Speed, ICC Chief Executive, Chairman
Dr Ali Bacher, Executive Director, ICC Cricket World Cup 2003
Campbell Jamieson, IDI Commercial Manager
Brian Basson, United Cricket Board of South Africa
Sunil Gavaskar, independent member
Michael Holding, independent member

The ECB has requested that the hearing proceed as a matter of urgency and the ICC is currently determining the availability of the Committee members on this date.

A quorum of four members is required for a hearing of the Committee.

The final date, composition and media arrangements for the hearing will be confirmed once agreed.