Players seek second opinion

Players seek second opinion

Bevan plans further talks on security and safety issues

England's cricketers could still boycott the controversial World Cup match in Zimbabwe after describing Thursday's decision to go ahead with the fixture as a "significant disappointment".

Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) boss Richard Bevan is taking legal advice on whether Nasser Hussain's team would be justified in pulling out of the match on 13 February.

"Legal advice is also being sought over the game's 'duty of care' not only to players, umpires and officials, but supporters and citizens of Harare," said a PCA statement.

"With reports of large numbers of people migrating to the major cities in Zimbabwe, there is a real concern of demonstrations occurring in greater numbers than previously.

"These numbers may well lead to the introduction of the army to support the Zimbabwe police, which, as the Foreign Office have commented on in the past, use brute force to quell demonstrations."

The International Cricket Council (ICC) discussed the matter on Thursday and announced England's match, and five others in the tournament, would go ahead.

England's players had said they wanted the game moved, but England cricket chief David Morgan did not submit a formal request on their behalf.

WORLD CUP TECHNICAL CTTE

Michael Holding (WI)

Malcolm Speed (ICC chief exec)

Ali Bacher (World Cup director)

Sunil Gavaskar (India)

Campbell Jamieson (ICC comm director)

Brian Basson (SA)

Profile of committee

As a result the ICC's executive board - made up of elected representatives from each country - was not forced to vote on the matter.

However, decision-making passes to the World Cup's six-man technical committee on Sunday.

If they are not satisfied with the committee's verdict, England could then still appeal to one of three independent commissioners sitting alone.

But an ECB spokesman reacted cautiously to suggestions of an immediate appeal, saying only: "We continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis."

Zimbabwe matches to go ahead

The PCA will continue to discuss the issue with the authorities and the international players union Fica.

And Bevan will fly to Cape Town early next week, prior to the players making their final decision.

The statement added the players have yet to see a copy of a safety report by American risk assessors Kroll Associates.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said the report was "categorical" in its endorsement of security arrangements.

However, Bevan emphasised the match could be shifted as late as four days beforehand.

"We have until February 9 to make sure that when we do make the decision it is the right decision," he said.

"We will take every minute and every day to monitor all the situations so that we come to the right decision."