Hussain does not want to play in Zimbabwe
|
England's cricket team want their World Cup match in Zimbabwe moved to South Africa.
They say they are worried about the security and safety issues surrounding the game in Harare on 13 February.
The International Cricket Council confirmed they were aware of the safety and security concerns of the England players but stressed there was at present "no reason to move the games".
The players issued a statement through the Professional Cricketers Association on Monday.
They said advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office had confirmed any disturbances at the game would be dealt with by "brute force."
The issues have been weighing heavily on the players' minds
England players' statement
|
The players said they did not want any members of the public to be injured for the sake of a cricket match.
The statement said: "As concerns with the England team over the current political situation in Zimbabwe grow, the players have requested an urgent review of their scheduled match against Zimbabwe in Harare on 13 February.
"Without doubt the issues have been weighing heavily on the players' minds, taking into account moral, political and contractual aspects.
"The players are greatly concerned for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and especially for opposition supporters who might be targeted by police, using brute force.
"It is very important that no Zimbabwean or any other individual comes to any harm because of a cricket match in Harare."
The main security concerns are:
- A recent fire bombing of a political party's office in Harare
- A statement from the Mayor of Harare who said he could not guarantee security
- A Zimbabwe police report after an arms cache, which included 2,000 rounds of ammunition and 24 bayonets, were found on a farm. It is alleged they would be used by Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's opponents against England cricketers.
The ICC said it would consider England's concerns when and if they are raised by the England and Wales Cricket Board at the next ICC Board conference, scheduled for Thursday at 1000 GMT.
ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed stated that the situation in Zimbabwe would continue to be monitored.
"As it currently stands, based on expert advice, the ICC Board continues to see no reason to move the games," said Speed.
It is difficult to believe that the players will go
|
"Should the situation change, there is in place the system to alert the ICC to this and a proper decision making process to deal with any need to relocate games."
The ECB said it still supported the ICC's stance that matches should only be moved if players' and officials' safety could not be guaranteed.
But they would pull England out, regardless of the ICC's decision, if there was a specific safety threat to England.
Tim Lamb, chief executive of the ECB, accused those who had criticised the ECB's decision as "Johnny-come-lately moralisers".
England could be fined £1m if they pull out of the match and would also lose World Cup points.
The latest the England match could be switched is 9 February.
Email this story to a friend
