Protesters delay ECB decision

England could be saved from a political decision

Protesters upset at England's planned World Cup fixture in Zimbabwe have disrupted a news conference at Lord's.

ECB officials, who have been meeting to discuss whether to boycott or go ahead with the fixture in Harare next month, were due to make an annoucement at 1300GMT.

But the announcement was delayed when a number of people stormed the stage.

The incident follows similar demonstrations on Monday, when anti-Robert Mugabe demonstrators breached security at Lord's.

Go-ahead still expected

The ECB is still expected to go against government advice and give the go-ahead to the planned World Cup match in Zimbabwe next month.

Chairman David Morgan told the BBC that the players would follow whatever decision the board made.

"I spoke with Duncan Fletcher and Phil Neale yesterday (Monday)," Morgan told Radio 4.

We are not going to put our players in a situation where they have to shake hands with the president of Zimbabwe

ECB chief exec
Tim Lamb

"The distinct impression that I have is that the players will follow the edict of the ECB management board."

Leading politicians, including Prime Minister Tony Blair, have called on the ECB to boycott the match on 13 February.

The government fears that playing the match would be a sign of English support for the controversial regime of President Robert Mugabe.

However, Morgan believes that England will play their match in February.

"I think that is still highly probable, provided that safety and security don't become a new issue," said Morgan.

No government compensation

England could face compensation claims of up to £1m from the ICC if they pull out of the match.

And Morgan fears that a failure to play Zimbabwe could cause a "major divide" between the Test-playing nations.

Feature: Cricket's battle lines

With no compensation being offered by the government, most if not all board members hold the same views as Morgan.

Following recent riots in Harare, the ICC has set up a committee to monitor the situation.

And the game's governing body admits that the matches could be still moved to South Africa at short notice should the country be judged unsafe.

ECB management board

David Morgan

David Acfield

Dennis Amiss

Rod Bransgrove

Steve Coverdale

David East

Peter Gooden

Martin Gray

Bob Jackson

Roger Knight

Roger Moylan Jones

John Pickup

Mike Soper

David Stewart

"The neatest solution to all of this, ironically, was if the security situation were to deteriorate and the ICC were to revisit its decision," said ECB chief executive Tim Lamb.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live, Lamb confirmed that England players would not be allowed to shake hands with Mugabe during their time in the country.

"We are not going to put our players, Nasser Hussain - or indeed myself - in a situation where we have to shake hands with the president of Zimbabwe," he said.

"If there is any suggestion such a ceremony will be arranged then we will decline to participate."