Points to be split in security-hit Cup games

Teams at next year's World Cup will share points if their matches cannot be played because of security reasons, International Cricket Council president Malcolm Gray said on Tuesday.

"If any of the matches are disrupted in the World Cup or can't be played because of safety reasons the points will be shared," he told reporters after an ICC executive board meeting.

The World Cup will be played in South Africa in February and March next year but six matches are scheduled in politically volatile Zimbabwe as well as two in Kenya.

Gray said any dispute between teams over sharing points would be adjudicated by an ICC commissioner. The ICC has also decided there will be no reserve day during the preliminary stages.

Gray said an ICC delegation would travel to Zimbabwe next month to study the security situation there before a decision was taken on whether it could stage its World Cup matches.

"There are some perceived and some real problems regarding World Cup matches being played in Zimbabwe," Gray said.

SECURITY REPORT

The ICC will be guided by a report to be submitted by the team, which will comprise its chief executive, the chief executives of the six countries due to play in Zimbabwe, players' representatives, the ICC's commercial partner and its insurance company.

Namibia, England, India, Australia, the Netherlands and Pakistan are scheduled to play in Zimbabwe.

The current political crisis in Zimbabwe began in early 2000 when pro-government militants started invading white-owned farms to redistribute them to landless blacks.

Australia cancelled a tour of Zimbabwe in April following advice from its government and, with no sign of the crisis easing, the ICC's move is an attempt to offer teams guidance on the issue.

Gray said the world body was keen to avoid a repeat of the situation at the 1996 World Cup when Australia and West Indies refused to play in Sri Lanka because of security concerns and were willing to forfeit points from those matches.

South African World Cup organisers have said it would be possible to shift games to their country at 24 hours' notice.

Mail Cricket Editor