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Christchurch quake unlikely to impact World Cup schedule

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Last updated on: February 22, 2011 15:08 IST

The devastating earthquake in Christchurch is unlikely to force a change in New Zealand's World Cup schedule, an ICC spokesman said on Tuesday.

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit New Zealand's second biggest city on Tuesday, killing at least 65 people and causing widespread damage.

- World Cup coverage

The International Cricket Council (ICC), however, is confident that New Zealand will go ahead with their World Cup matches.

"It's very tragic really," an ICC spokesman said by phone.

"At this point of time, we can only give our condolences to those affected. But we don't think it's going to have any impact on the cricket World Cup as of now.

"Later on, we may sit down and discuss in more detail about the consequences of the tragedy...," he said.

New Zealand's next Group A match is scheduled for Friday against Australia in Nagpur.

Pace bowler Hamish Bennett, who was born in Timaru, Brendon McCullum and coach John Wright have links to the area.

"The team woken early in India to news of another Christchurch earthquake. Thoughts are will everyone and hoping all are OK," New Zealand Cricket said in a Twitter post.

"Thoughts go out to the people of Ch(ristchur)ch today. Terrible thing to have happened again," batsman Martin Guptill posted on his page in the micro-blogging site.

"All immediate friends and family are (okay), but that doesn't detract from the fact that there have been fatalities," New Zealand media manager Ellery Tappin was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.

New Zealand beat Kenya by 10 wickets in their opening match on Sunday.

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