Mani welcomes ECB decision

The ICC has welcomed the ECB's decision to defer a decision on their tour to Zimbabwe until the ICC board meeting in March. Ehsan Mani, ICC's president, has said that this will provide an opportunity for the ECB to raise its concerns directly with other Test-playing countries.

"During our meeting earlier this week," said Mani, "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. 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."

Mani went on to say: "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."