ICC welcomes ECB decision to defer action

The International Cricket Council today welcomed the England and Wales Cricket Board's decision to defer any action on its scheduled tour of Zimbabwe until after it had discussed this issue with other countries at the ICC Executive Board Meeting in Auckland, New Zealand on 9 and 10 March 2004.

ICC President Ehsan Mani said that this meeting would provide the opportunity for the ECB to raise its concerns directly with each of the Test-playing countries.

"During our meeting earlier this week I suggested to David Morgan that an appropriate forum for this issue would be the ICC Executive Board Meeting in March. I am pleased that the ECB Board has now accepted this suggestion and welcome this decision today," said Mr Mani.

"The international cricket community is an important stakeholder for the ECB. Given that there are several months before England is due to visit Zimbabwe, this meeting provides the opportunity for the ECB to put forward its position and listen to the views of this community.

"The ICC will continue to ensure that the parties involved in this issue at the international level are treated fairly and equally and assist the parties in exploring all available options."

ICC media contact:

Brendan McClements
General Manager - Corporate Affairs
Mob: +44 (0) 7786 194 974