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Last Updated:  Thursday, 30 January, 2003, 22:37 GMT

Kiwis must play in Kenya
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming
Stephen Fleming and his men must play in Nairobi

New Zealand will have to play their World Cup match against Kenya despite fears about the threat of terrorist attacks.

The International Cricket Council ruled New Zealand's match against Kenya in Nairobi will go ahead on 21 February.

"New Zealand provided a report into the security situation but the decision the board made was there were not sufficient reasons to move the game from Kenya," said ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed.

Sri Lanka, who have raised no objections, will also play against Kenya at the same venue on 24 February.

There is a lot for the Kenyan public to look forward to
Kenya Cricket Association chairman Jimmy Rayani

Kenya Cricket Association chairman Jimmy Rayani said he was relieved at the decision.

"Thanks be to God that the decision has gone our way. The whole matter had been blown out of proportion," he said.

"The doubts were based on rumors and gossip and we should not have gone through this exercise.

"No more should ICC go through such doubts. The money they used to check these doubts could have been used to help small cricket-playing countries like Kenya develop the sport.

"We are very glad and now look forward for the preparations. There is a lot for the Kenyan public to look forward to."

It emerged New Zealand had asked the other teams in their group to swap venues with them for the match, but there were no takers.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Sneddon threatened on Wednesday to boycott the game even if they were told to play.

He said: "There are various complications because we are under a World Cup contract but our top priority must be the safety of our players," he said.

"From the cricket point of view, it may well mean that we forfeit the match and any chance of winning points against Kenya which will affect how far we can go in the competition."

But Kenya responded by calling for New Zealand to be banned from international cricket if they carry out their threat.

"If the ICC gives us a clean bill of health, New Zealand will have no reason to think otherwise," Rayani said.

"Forfeiting points or fining them £1m or whatever amount is not enough punishment.

"They must be banned from the World Cup and suspended for a year or two from the Test circuit.

"The security measures put in place in Kenya are the same as what is in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Yet New Zealand are happy to go to South Africa and not Kenya. Who do they think they are?"

The ICC also ruled that all six matches scheduled to be played in Zimbabwe will go ahead despite concerns from England and Australia.





Links to more New Zealand stories


 

SEE ALSO
Kiwis want Kenya switch
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Fleming haunted by bomb blast
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World Cup security: The key men
28 Jan 03 |  World Cup


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