Zimbabwe face ICC suspension

Zimbabwe's capitulation in Sunday's third one-day international against Sri Lanka, in which they were bowled out for a new record-low of 35, could have far-reaching consequences in the corridors of the ICC, according to Mihir Bose, the Daily Telegraph reporter who was deported from Zimbabwe last week.

For most of the winter, it has been England, not Zimbabwe, that has been threatened with suspension from the ICC, for their unwillingness to fulfil their tour obligations in October. But, ever since the sacking of 15 white Zimbabwean cricketers - including the captain Heath Streak - the ICC has been concerned about the devaluing of international cricket. If yesterday's humiliating result is compounded by a farcical first Test in Harare next week, the clamour for their removal will grow ever louder.

Meanwhile, the escalating crisis in Zimbabwe cricket is something of a deus ex machine for the England & Wales Cricket Board, which had been bracing itself for an inevitable backlash, whatever the outcome of their deliberations. To tour would have flown in the face of government and public opinion; to stay away would have invited the wrath of the ICC, and might have resulted in a year's suspension from international cricket, the cancellation of next summer's Ashes series and up to £50 million losses.

Instead, the prospects of an England suspension have receded dramatically. Senior sources within the ICC told the Daily Telegraph that it would require the backing of seven of the ten Test-playing nations to implement such a course of action. If England can present a good case for staying away, they are likely to escape punishment.

That outcome, however, cannot be taken for granted, given the clumsiness with which the ECB have so far approached the issue. An emergency meeting of the First-Class Forum has been called in Gloucestershire today, which will be attended by the chairman, Mike Soper, as well as Tim Lamb and David Morgan of the ECB. One of the topics on the agenda is the role of Des Wilson, whose paper arguing for a moral stand against Zimbabwe yesterday received the support from the anti-apartheid campaigner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Support has been less apparent on the home front, however, and Wilson is contemplating resignation.