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Leicestershire have signed two former Test cricketers, Claude Henderson and Ottis Gibson, as they strengthen their squad ahead of the 2004 county season.Henderson played seven Tests as a spinner for South Africa, and Gibson two Tests as a fast-bowling allrounder for West Indies, although under European law, neither man counts as an overseas player.Gibson, 35, who last played international cricket in January 1999, has been working as an ECB coach since 2001 and has applied for UK citizenship. But it is Henderson’s circumstances that are of particular interest. He is eligible as a non-overseas player because South Africa has an associate agreement with the European Union, and has chosen not to make himself available for the national team.”I’ve forfeited my right to play in South Africa," said Henderson, "so I am grateful for the opportunity to play first-class cricket in England." He is the first player to benefit directly from a recent judgment in the European court, where a Slovakian handball player, Maros Kolpak, won the right to play in Germany without being classified as a foreigner. And, given that Leicestershire’s leading spinner, Jeremy Snape, managed only ten wickets last season, he is sure to play a major role in the coming season.Gibson’s case is more straightforward, although his main role will be off the field, as he is to double up as Leicestershire’s bowling coach. "With their recent restructuring, Leicestershire is the perfect club for me," he said. "I sense a real desire for improvement, and I aim to help the club from the grass-roots to the professional game.”

Given the presence of Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Carl Hooper, it was a big call but Michael Holding’s assertion on television that Ramaresh Sarwan is presently the West Indies’ best batsman stands up to statistical scrutiny.After Friday night’s key World Cup match against Sri Lanka, courageous is another flattering adjective to add to the many associated with his name since he was identified as a cricketer of such rare potential he was picked for Guyana at age 15.His effort to secure an incredible victory for the West Indies, after resuming an innings cut short by a fearful blow to the helmet and a visit to nearby Claremont Hospital, failed by six runs. But it will be long remembered for its brave defiance by the 20 000 who witnessed the drama live and the millions of others watching on television.Sarwan had made ten from 25 balls when he was startled by the steep lift of a delivery from the tall, heavy-set Dilhara Fernando, Sri Lanka’s fastest bowler. He turned his head and took such a blow on the side of the helmet that the ball rebounded more than 20 yards to be caught, on the full, at backward point.He immediately slumped onto the pitch and lay there motionless for nearly ten minutes while he was examined by a doctor and paramedics, who had sprinted to his aid.Eventually, he was carefully lifted onto a stretcher, covered in a blanket and wheeled off to a waiting ambulance that sped him to hospital.Once there, according to team manager Ricky Skerritt, he was clinically examined by a neurologist, had several x-rays taken from different angles and two stitches inserted into a small cut above his left eye.His involvement in the contest seemed surely over but the X-rays showed no serious damage and the specialist was convinced he was "medically fine". Fully conscious and anxious to resume his innings, he returned.Facing defeatWhen he arrived in the team’s dressing room, the West Indies were six wickets down and Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Vasbert Drakes were trying to stem the advance towards defeat with a dogged partnership.Within half-hour, Chanderpaul hoisted a catch to long-on after topscoring with 65 and Sarwan re-entered the battle to a standing ovation from around the stadium that echoed from the nearby Table Mountain.He even chose a cap instead of a helmet, only replacing one with the other after a couple of overs.It seemed a futile, if bold, gesture at the time for the West Indies were 169 for seven, still 60 away from their winning goal with only 7.5 overs remaining and the Nos. 9, 10 and 11 fast bowlers to help him.In quick time, the neat, 22-year-old Guyanese changed the course of the match, stroking two sixes and two fours in adding 37 off 19 balls as the tension grew. His unbeaten 47 would prove insufficient and Sarwan had to return to teammates inspired by his daring but distressed by the result.No one was more upset than Sarwan himself."I don’t like to lose," he said afterwards. "None of us wants to lose and I am a very proud person.""When I saw what was happening, I had to come to the crease," he added. "Cricket is about heart. There’ll be occasions when you’re struck down by someone or something but you have to be man enough to fight to the bitter end."He explained that he "basically misread" the ball that hit him."Once I got checked and I realised that I was okay, I decided that I wanted to come out and fight for the West Indies," he explained. "The game was very important for us. We had to win to go into the Super Sixes and I was determined to try my best.""It was always going to be difficult to score eight to ten runs per over in the last couple of overs with the bowlers at the crease but I gave it a shot," he noted. "With a little luck we could have got the runs."Familiar patternThe situation of seeing the West Indies home in One-Day Internationals – if not the blow to the head – has become all too familiar for Sarwan in the past few months.In the series of seven in India last November, in which he scored 436 runs at an average of 109 and a strike rate of 84.66, his last ball four won the first match.His unbeaten 99, off 104 balls, helped boost the total to 324 for four in the fourth match but did not ensure a West Indies victory. In the decisive victory in the last match, he scored 83 off 101 balls, setting the stage of Marlon Samuels’ breathtaking, unbeaten 108 off 75 balls.He has again been the leading batsman for the West Indies in the World Cup.His 32 off 15 balls and his grand, unbeaten finale of 63 off 28 balls with Ricardo Powell powered the total to a match-winning 278 for five against South Africa.His more measured 75 off 99 balls against New Zealand began in a crisis at 46 for five and, in a partnership of 98 with Ridley Jacobs, almost clinched an unlikely victory. But, like Friday’s, it was not enough and, as such, it meant nothing to Sarwan.Unlike the power-hitters, like Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds and Powell, Sarwan’s sixes and fours are based on technique, timing and placement.At the start of the World Cup, he had an average of 51.04 and a strike-rate of 79.4 in 29 One-Day Internationals. He has boosted that with a present average of 101 at a strike rate of 95.87 after five matches.Skerritt said yesterday Sarwan was understandably nursing "a slight headache" but was in good spirits.He’ll have further neurological tests in Kimberley tomorrow prior to Tuesday’s match against Kenya, just to be sure that he can continue the consistent scoring that, in the opinion of at least one highly respected former West Indies player, makes him the best West Indies batsman at present.

Zimbabwe continued their fightback on a freezing day in Harare underincreasingly overcast skies with a steady Antarctic wind blowing. Theyrecorded their highest ever Test Match total before declaring to set WestIndies 348 to win.Coincidentally, this is exactly the highest fourth-innings score West Indies have ever made to win a Test, which they did by five wickets against New Zealand in 1968/69. When bad light ended play early, West Indies had scored 42 for one, leaving the prospect of an interesting finish on the final day, weather permitting.Zimbabwe began the day 108 runs ahead of West Indies in their second inningswith six wickets in hand. Hamilton Masakadza added only four runs to hisovernight 115 in almost half an hour before driving a tame catch to shortextra cover off Neil McGarrell. His innings of 119 is the highest by anyplayer under the age of 18 in Test cricket.Zimbabwe took a while to adopt the positive approach that had served them sowell the previous day, but Grant Flower and Heath Streak were just beginningto take control when Flower (14) cut Reon King, who had bowled raggedly, lowto backward point where Shivnarine Chanderpaul took a fine diving catch.Streak played a responsible innings, hitting the loose ball well anddepositing McGarrell over mid-wicket for a six. With Andy Blignaut generallyrestraining himself so as to support Streak, until he hammered threeboundaries off Marlon Black in the last over before the interval, Zimbabwepassed 400.A classical cover-driven boundary off Colin Stuart took Streak to his fiftysoon after lunch. Blignaut passed his previous Test highest of 35 and thenhit a six over long-on to reach his fifty off 79 balls. He then tried areverse sweep, to be caught by the ‘keeper apparently off the glove, but wasgiven not out by umpire Kevan Barbour.Blignaut overtook the more responsible Streak, but he too generally showedgood shot selection. Just before the 500 came up, the two all-roundersbroke the previous seventh-wicket record of 131 by Grant Flower and PaulStrang in Pakistan in 1996/97. The pitch was still good and the West Indianbowlers did not show the skill necessary to break through against qualitybatting.Finally Blignaut, perhaps unnerved by his approaching century, swung wildlyacross the line at Stuart, to be bowled for 92 off 118 balls, after apartnership of 154 with his captain. Zimbabwe were then 521 for seven.Streak had a narrow escape when a mistimed drive just cleared mid-off, whileTatenda Taibu hit 10 off nine balls before being yorked by Stuart.Soon after tea Zimbabwe passed their previous highest Test total of 544 forfour declared, against Pakistan on this ground in their first-ever Testmatch victory in 1994/95. Then, when Bryan Strang lobbed a catch tomid-wicket off McGarrell for 11, Streak declared at 563 for nine, with hispersonal score on 79. West Indies were left to make 348 to win, a scenariothey could never have envisaged two days earlier. It was not an impossibletask on a good pitch, but their morale in the field appeared low and theywill need to lift themselves considerably now to save the match.The injured Daren Ganga bravely came out to open the West Indian innings andguided the first ball past gully for four. The light, though, continued todeteriorate under the heavily overcast sky, causing concern to Zimbabwe.Chris Gayle showed the umpires he was having no problems with visibility, ashe hit two superb successive fours off Blignaut, a drive through extra coverand a cut. Ganga added only a single to have five when he tried to turn Streakto leg and skied a catch.Ramnaresh Sarwan came in for Chanderpaul, who hurt a hand in the field. TheZimbabwe bowling was steady rather than threatening. With nine overs stillto be bowled, bad light brought an early end to play, with West Indies 42for one (Gayle 17, Sarwan 11).

The costly drops and missed run-outs in the Galle Test have spurred West Indies to renew their focus on fielding in the approach to the second Test, captain Jason Holder said. The visitors had reprieved Sri Lanka batsmen on at least six occasions – the costliest of which was the drop off Dinesh Chandimal on 11. The batsman went on to hit 151.After that match, Holder had suggest Sri Lanka’s total of 484 would have been significantly reduced if his team had held their chances. It is the area they have focused primarily on, during the four-day gap between games, he said.”In the last few days we’ve done a lot of analysing – we’ve looked at a lot of footage. We’ve come in the practice sessions in the last few days and paid a lot of attention to our fielding.”From my point of view, I think practice does a lot for fielding. When you get in the habit of doing something repeatedly it becomes the norm. That’s something we try to stress in the dressing room – to practice properly and do it in a sense that fits a game scenario. We try to replicate a match scenario in our fielding drills. We’ve picked up the volume of our fielding over the last few days, so hopefully we’ll be in better stead for this game.”West Indies batting had also faltered in Galle, with only two batsmen passing fifty across two innings. The visitor’s first-innings performance had been particularly disappointing, partly because each of the top 10 moved into double figures, but only Darren Bravo went on to hit a half-century. Holder said his top order had been urged to improve their shot selection.”We’ve done a lot of talking in the dressing room and different of batsmen come up with different things. I think it boils down to guys just digging a little deeper. We saw that we all got starts. It’s an opportunity for guys to put their heads down and dig a little deeper. I think that’s needed in the second Test match.”I think we’ve got to be selective and just to play to your personal game plan. Just said to the guys, ‘Be positive, but be selective.’ Once you’re selective and you’re patient enough you will get runs. It’s all about occupying the crease and spending as much time as possible.”Among those who did not spend time at the crease was Marlon Samuels, who collected 11 and a first-ball duck from his two innings in Galle. Samuels was also reported for a suspect action after the Test. Holder said Samuels’ role as a top order batsman who bowls offspin does not change for this Test, and backed him to come good with the bat. All reported bowlers can bowl in internationals until their action is found to be illegal.”Marlon’s just had a bad game – that’s Test cricket,” Holder said. “What’s important is for Marlon to come back stronger. He’s one of the guys who digs deep when his back is against the wall. I’m not saying that his back is against the wall now, but he obviously got two low scores in the last Test match. He’s quite eager to get in this second Test match and get a score for the team.”Garfield Sobers has arrived in the country ahead of the second Test, and will attend the match alongside former Sri Lanka captain Michael Tissera. The series trophy is named for both men. Holder hoped Sobers’ presence would spur his side.”I personally saw Garfield Sobers yesterday in the hotel lobby. It was inspiring to see him come all this way just to watch the series. I’m sure most of the guys know of his presence and know that he’s here. I hope we can go ahead in this Test match and win it for him.”

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Salman Butt and Nasir Jamshed slammed centuries as Punjab gained the upper hand on a record-breaking second day in their match against Balushistan.Baluchistan, who were on 298 for 7 overnight, extending their total to 375, courtesy of wicketkeeper Gulraiz Sadaf’s half-century and a quick-fire 31 from No. 10 Imranullah Aslam. Mohammad Hafeez finished as Punjab’s most successful bowler, taking three wickets.In reply, Punjab ran up 425 for the loss of just two wickets, scoring at more than five-and-a-half runs an over, which meant that 502 runs were scored in the day, a record in Pakistan. Opener Hafeez wasn’t as successful with the bat, trapped lbw by Abdur Rauf for nought. Butt and Jamshed were then involved in a huge 251-run stand for the second wicket, helped by the indisciplined Baluchistan bowling who conceded 33 extras, including 22 no-balls.Butt smashed 25 fours and a six as he made 160 at nearly a run a ball before falling to medium-pacer Jalat Khan. Butt has been in spectacular form during the tournament as in only four innings, he totals 639 runs at an average of 159.75. His contribution in four outings so far has been scores of 290, 72, 117 and now 160.Misbah-ul-Haq (82*) and Jamshed then put on 87 runs before Jamshed was forced to retire hurt on 140 – his sixth century of the season – as Punjab finished the day with a 50-run lead with eight wickets still standing.
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In a tight contest at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad, Federal Areas took a 73-run first-innings lead but Sind hit back, finishing the second day at 128 for 1.For Federal Areas, No. 3 Ashar Zaidi top scored with an unbeaten 87 as they posted 295. Naved Ashraf (34) and Yasir Arafat (27) chipped in with handy contributions. Fast bowler Sohail Khan’s outstanding debut season continued as he grabbed another five-wicket haul to keep Federal Areas’ lead to a manageable amount. He now has 16 wickets from three matches in the Pentangular to complement the 65 he took in this season’s Quaid-e-Azam.Sind’s second innings got off to a confident start with Khurram Manzoor and Khalid Latif putting on 119. Manzoor fell after an aggressive 73 which featured ten boundaries while Latif remained undefeated on 47.

It’s fair to say that a two-day one-day game was not what Brian Larahad in mind when he won the toss and chose to bowl under heavy cloudcover yesterday morning. With a tricky tussle against New Zealand fastapproaching on Thursday, it was with some dejection that he faced themedia at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua this afternoon.His personal success, a fine back-to-the-wall 77, couldn’t mask acollective team failure. Australia’s eventual margin of 103 runs wasby no means flattering.”They look like a team that have come here for one purpose,” Lara said, breathing a quiet sigh of relief that his players would not haveto face them again in their bid for a semi-final slot. Australia havenow won 22 of their last 23 matches in World Cup competitions datingback to 1999 – a run that has been interrupted only by that famous tieat Edgbaston. That blip against England and New Zealand at thetail-end of the Australian summer now looks like a greater anomalythan ever.”Two weeks ago everyone said we weren’t frightening, now all of asudden we are again – it’s a funny game,” Ricky Ponting said in a gleefulattack on his team’s critics. “Our squad hasn’t changed in that time.You hear about other sides saying they don’t fear us, and don’t fearanything we have to offer. Well, it’s all right saying that, but youhave to go out there and play a certain brand of cricket to back thatup. So far they haven’t done that.”West Indies were never in the contest today. Realistically there wasonly one man in the side with both the batting position and the rangeof strokes to mount an assault on Australia’s towering target – ChrisGayle, whose booming left-handed strokeplay has the potential to cutany new ball to ribbons. But, as if to underline what a superlativeinnings Matthew Hayden had played in the first innings of this match,Gayle emulated only the very start of that performance. After grindinghis way to 2 from 16 balls, he lost his rag and his wicket, and holedout to cover the moment Glenn McGrath entered the attack.

“We are a very good chasing team, but the most important thing about300-plus totals is that one of the top batters has to bat through,” Lara said. “To lose three wickets in under ten overs was a majorsetback. Myself and [Ramnaresh] Sarwan had to consolidate and rebuildand that used up a lot of balls. If Australia had made 50-60 runsless, or if there’d been a proper start from the West Indies, it couldhave been a different game.”Hayden, by comparison, had taken 18 balls to get off the mark, buthaving done so, he cut loose in a manner that led Lara, perhapsunfairly, to castigate the pitch for being far too flat forinternational cricket. Hayden and Gayle’s early travails against thenew ball suggested otherwise. “I think I was guessing where my nextrun was going to come from,” Hayden said afterwards, “becauseit was a pretty vast difference between the conditions in St Kitts and here.”If they do bowl well you’re not willing to take a risk. Iwas just trying to stay calm and make sure when I did take a risk it was going to bein my favour. I’ve had to show a lot of commitment and passion, firstto get back into the one-day side – and in particular, to representAustralia at the World Cup.”Australia have now posted 300-plus totals in each of their last sixone-day internationals, and Hayden, whose one-day career seemed to beover when he was axed after the 2005 tour of England, has played amassive part in that achievement, scoring three hundreds and a 60 inthose games, including a career-best 181 not out at Hamilton.”It took a lot to get [back] into this position – and I’m just verypleased for thesupporters, selectors and Ricky that it is paying off,” he said. “Isaid when I got dropped a couple of years back that I didn’t feel Iwas ready to let the game go – that world-class players play bothforms of the game. I’m just very happy that it’s coming off right now.It’s a special side to be a part of – and it’s never meant to be aneasy thing to play for Australia.”It certainly seems easier to play for them than against them atpresent. Witness the success of Brad Hogg, an unorthodox andunder-rated spinner, who has been widely perceived as the weakest linkin Australia’s attack. He was actively targeted by South Africa in StKitts last week, but has emerged not only unscathed but at the verysummit of the wicket-taker’s list, with 11 victims in four matches.

“I reckon I was bowling better before the tournament started than I amnow, but it’s just funny how the wickets drop for you,” Hogg said,whose haul of 3 for 56 today included the big wicket of Lara,who yorked himself as he went for a big charge down the pitch. Hisposition in the side owes plenty to the arm injury that has hinderedAndrew Symonds as a spin option, but on current form he is going totake plenty to budge.Ponting was adamant too that his team contained men for all occasions.The nagging doubts about the bowling (all of which stem from thosegargantuan run-chases in New Zealand last month) are assuaged withevery crushing victory that the team delivers, but he felt certainthat, come the crunch situation, he had the players in whom he couldtrust.”We’ve been able to beat teams pretty comfortably over the years, butone thing about us is that when the close games have come aroundthat is when we’ve been at our absolute best,” Ponting said. “Thereare a lot of champion players in this side who are at their best whenit gets tight.”Going back a year ago, we had some sort of record that sides chasing 220 orso against us didn’t get them. We’re bowling well againstgood batting sides, so you have to hang in there for an opportunity topresent itself – or create an opportunity. That is what we have donewell in the last couple of games.”Australia, freed from the surreal environment in St Kitts where theyplayed like great white sharks in a paddling pool, are lookingfrighteningly efficient and focussed. “They were impressive but wedidn’t put them under pressure at all,” Lara said. “I wouldn’t saythat they were tested.” More to the point, Australia didn’t permitthemselves to be tested. They were simply too dominant in all facets.

Chaminda Vaas, Sri Lanka’s premier fast bowler, has been declared fit to tour England later this month, according to Tommy Simsek, the Sri Lanka team physio. However, questions marks remained on the fitness of Marvan Atapattu, the captain, and Ruchira Perera, the left-arm fast bowler. All three players missed out on the recently concluded home series against Pakistan due to injury.Vaas suffered a strain on his left side, but Simsek confirmed that he had begun to bowl with his full run up and was back to full fitness. Simsek said that Atapattu had got a big disc bulge and would require more time to assess his recovery, while Perera has yet to recover from a recurring hamstring injury.”With time the bulge becomes a little smaller and the pressure on the nerve ceases. He [Atapattu] is presently undergoing treatment for it and we are hoping it will be successful. But there is no guarantee,” Simsek told the . “This happens to people between the ages of 50-60 but in Marvan’s case it is due to wear and tear. He is improving slowly, but if he doesn’t respond to the treatment he may need surgery. We should get a better picture of his condition within the next couple of weeks.”Ruchira needs to rehabilitate the injury very thoroughly. He is getting better but is not 100 percent fit. He might have to pass a fitness test by early next week.”Lalith Kaluperuma, the chairman of selectors, said that he expected a report on the injuries from Simsek on Monday, the day the selection committee is expected to meet to pick a 16-man squad for the three-Test series against England. He said a separate squad would be picked for the five one-day internationals that follow the Tests. The Test series starts at Lord’s on May 11 followed by the one-day series also starting at Lord’s from June 17.Kaluperuma said that in the case of Atapattu, they would leave their options open until at least April 16 to ascertain his fitness. The team is due to leave for England on April 19.In Atapattu’s absence Mahela Jayawardene led the team in the series against Pakistan where Sri Lanka lost 0-2 in the one-dayers and 0-1 in the Tests.With Sanath Jayasuriya announcing his retirement from Test cricket at the end of the Pakistan series, Sri Lanka may find themselves going to England with a totally inexperienced opening pair. Those in the running, apart from Atapattu, are Upul Tharanga, Jehan Mubarak, Michael van Dort and Ian Daniel.Farveez Maharoof, Sri Lanka’s young allrounder, is also recovering from a chest infection, which troubled him during the second innings of the second Test at Kandy. Simsek said that Maharoof was on antibiotics and that he was recovering well.

South Africa’s Jacques Rudolph may miss the third Test against West Indies after picking up a back injury while bowling in the nets on Friday. Rudolph subsequently withdrew from South Africa’s line-up for the two-day match against the University of West Indies Vice-Chancellor’s XI near Port-of-Spain, and was replaced by Jacques Kallis.”A decision has not been taken on his fitness,” said South African selector Enver Mall, “but it is doubtful if he will play.”Boeta Dippenaar is on standby to replace Rudolph should he not be fit enough for the third Test, which starts at Bridgetown on April 21. South Africa currently lead the four-match series 1-0.

Central Districts’ joy at dismissing Wellington for a low score was short lived, Matthew Horne made runs on a rainy day, and Otago were placed well at the end of the first day of the latest round of State Championship matches.1st day close Central Districts 55 for 8 (Franklin 4-22, Gillespie 4-29) trail Wellington 181(Parlane 40, Franklin 39, Thompson 7-55) by 126 runs
ScorecardAfter dismissing Wellington for 181 at McLean Park in Napier, Central Districts would have felt it was a job well done. But by the end of the day the smiles were upside-down, when they were reduced to 55 for 8. Ewen Thompson dominated Wellington with seven wickets for 55. One batsman after another trudged back to the stands as Thompson ran through the top order, barring Neal Parlane (40) and Luke Franklin (27), who put on a 74-run stand, before falling to the same bowler. Brendon Diamante achieved his maiden first-class wicket on debut when having Mark Gillespie leg before wicket to finish with one for 24. After the fine start, Central Districts were stunned when Mark Gillespie and James Franklin came out with a vengeance and grabbed eight wickets. The lead, and the form of their bowlers augurs well for Wellington, who made a strong bid for a place in the Championship final.1st day close Auckland 143 for 3 (Horne 91) v Northern Districts
ScorecardBecause of inclement weather, Auckland could play out only 48 overs on the day. In that time, Matthew Horne made the most of his stay in the middle to finish the day on 91, scored off 144 balls. He played a vital hand for Auckland who ended the day on 143 for 3. There was disappointment for Tim McIntosh when he was run out for one. Mark Richardson scored 14 while Lou Vincent, returning from injury, scored 12. Rob Nicol was on 11 as stumps were taken.1st day close Otago 278 for 5 (Wasim 66, Lawson 50) v Canterbury
ScorecardCanterbury asked Otago to bat first at Alexandra where an uninterrupted day was enjoyed, a rare thing in recent weeks. Otago made the most of the opportunity to finish on 278 for five wickets. Mohammad Wasim’s good run of form in recent weeks continued as he scored 66 in a 75-run partnership with Chris Gaffaney. They parted when Gaffaney was out for 29. Wasim went on his way soon after, and it was left to Robbie Lawson and Marcel McKenzie to rebuild the momentum of the innings. They added 94 runs before Lawson was out for 50 while McKenzie followed for 46. By stumps, Gareth Hopkins and Jeff Wilson had restored things, leaving the way clear for a second day assault. Hopkins was on 24, and Wilson on 34. Stephen Cunis took 2 for 38 and Andrew Ellis 2 for 47.

The International Cricket Council have restated their position thatEngland’s World Cup match against Zimbabwe in Harare on February 13th willgo ahead as planned, following today’s teleconference over security at thetournament.According to the ICC as neither England nor Australia or the Netherlands -the other countries that had expressed concern about going to Zimbabwe – hadrequested a change of venue, no decision had to be taken by ICC. New Zealandhad requested that their fixture in Nairobi be switched but the ICC saidthat it was felt “there were not sufficient reasons to move the game.”In making the announcement at a press conference in London, ICC chiefexecutive Malcolm Speed said: “On the issue of Zimbabwe no country sought tohave the matches moved so no decision was required."Concerns have been raised by England, Australia and Holland over scheduledmatches. We need to sit down with these countries to see if adequatesecurity is in place. No-one went to the stage of requesting a formalmotion.”Although the ECB delegate, new chairman David Morgan, did not formallyrequest a change of venue, the ECB issued a statement immediately after theannouncement in which it said Mr Morgan did “make strong remarks to theboard about the broader issue of safety and security at all matches.”The ECB statement also made it clear that the captain, Nasser Hussain, wasfully briefed by the chairman last night on the approach he was going totake.Morgan gave his account of what happened during the meeting. "It was clearfrom the mood of the teleconference that there was an implacable andoverwhelming feeling that the recommendations of the report should beaccepted,” he said.Morgan added: “I want to put the broader issue of the possibility of civilunrest and the threat of terrorism into very stark perspective.”If there are demonstrations and rioting in Harare during the England versusZimbabwe match this is not just an issue for the two countries directlyconcerned it is an issue for all the countries taking part in the World Cup.”We should all be concerned about this matter, just as we should all beconcerned about any safety and security concerns in Kenya affecting NewZealand, Kenya and Sri Lanka.”The security risk at all matches will, of course, vary according to wherethe match is being played and which countries are taking part in the match.”In that sense, the risk factor at each match must be individually assessedand evaluated.”If there are significant security and safety problems, it will blight thewhole 2003 World Cup with an indelible stain.”It will reflect very badly on cricket and, indeed, everyone associated withthe World Cup. No one will escape blame. We will all have to bear collectiveresponsibility.”If, in the next few days/weeks, there is a discernible deterioration insafety and security surrounding particular matches then decisions must beurgently reviewed and, if necessary, matches moved. We must all reserve ourright for this to happen.”The ICC’s decision was taken after lengthy consultations with all boards,player representatives, the diplomatic corps, the World Cup organisingcommittee which takes responsibility for all security matters, and securityconsultants, Kroll, who had been asked for a report on the situation.The Kroll report, according to the ECB statement, was “categorical in itsultimate assessment that it is safe and secure for all six matches inZimbabwe to proceed as planned. It was clear from the mood of theteleconference that there was an implacable and overwhelming feeling thatthe recommendations of the report should be accepted.”This is the same organisation that reported to the State Department inWashington who have issued the following advice to United States citizens:”The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel toZimbabwe. Zimbabwe is in the midst of political, economic, and humanitariancrises with serious implications for the security situation in the country.All U.S. citizens in Zimbabwe are urged to take those measures they deemappropriate to ensure their well being, including consideration of departurefrom the country.”Dealing with the point about New Zealand’s match against Kenya in Nairobi,Mr Speed said: “New Zealand sought to have the game relocated. This wasopposed by Kenya.”New Zealand provided a report into the security situation but the decisionthe board made was there were not sufficient reasons to move the game fromKenya.”As from next week, the conduct of the event passes to the World CupOrganising Committee. Among the personnel on that committee are MalcolmSpeed, another Australian in ICC commercial director Campbell Jamieson andWorld Cup director Dr Ali Bacher. They are joined by two former players inSunil Gavaskar from India and Michael Holding from the West Indies and amember of the South African board, Brian Basson.