BBC SPORT | Cricket | Zimbabwe deny threat rumours

Zimbabwe have categorically denied claims tabled in a newspaper that they are threatening to pull out of the Test cricket tour to England in 2003.

Chief executive of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU), Vincent Hogg, told BBC Sport Online: "I never heard of anything like that in my life."

The Daily Telegraph had quoted an ICC insider as saying that if England were reluctant to play their World Cup match in Zimbabwe next February, a backlash could follow.

But Hogg insisted: "No statement like that has been made from the ZCU. I cannot even give you an explanation as to where that has come from.

Both England and Australia face travelling to Zimbabwe

"It's incredible some of the stories that have come out about Zimbabwe and the ZCU. It's amazing - I can't believe where they are being generated from."

Zimbabwe are due to play all six of their World Cup ties at home next February, including games against Australia and England.

The International Cricket Council has voiced concerns over the growing political crisis in the country.

They have raised doubts as to whether the matches planned for Harare and Bulawayo can take place.

On Wednesday, the ICC announced plans to send a deputation to Zimbabwe to decide whether it is safe to host World Cup matches.

But, whatever the group decides, the ICC has already made contingency plans.

Should the games be moved? Have your say

Matches could instead be moved to Bloemfontein in South Africa and an insurance policy will cover Zimbabwe for loss of income.

Under ICC rules, however, Zimbabwe could demand that countries not prepared to travel should be substituted.

That move could result in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh playing there instead of England and Australia - despite the fact they have been drawn in different qualifying groups.

There is no reason why we should not play the match in Zimbabwe

Tim Lamb
ECB chief executive

Hogg was bullish about Zimbabwe's right to host matches, however.

He said: "All the health and security issues are in place and the ministry is totally behind us.

"As things stand now, we are looking forward to Pakistan arriving in November and then Namibia are playing our A team before Kenya come here in December."

Hogg added that World Cup executive director Ali Bacher was in the country a few weeks ago, when he had complimented the ZCU on their preparatory work ahead of the tournament.

Meanwhile, England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tim Lamb said travelling to Zimbabwe remained on the cards for the England team.

"There is absolutely no impediment at the moment why we should not go Zimbabwe," he told BBC World Service.

"They are saying it's very important that the match takes place for the benefit of cricket in that country."


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