Zimbabwe hit back against a threatened boycott of their home World Cup matches on Wednesday by refusing to play if the games are switched to South Africa.

Zimbabwe Cricket Union chairman Peter Chingoka, reacting to England's request to move their game from Harare to South Africa because of security concerns in the strife-torn country, said: "We have made a decision that we will not play any of our home matches away if they are shifted for political reasons."

The ZCU's stand is the latest twist in a long-running controversy bedevilling the tournament over whether matches should go ahead in Zimbabwe and Kenya. The first game of the World Cup is due to be played on Sunday.

Chingoka said: "For us, there is no good reason for the games to be shifted from Zimbabwe. We have addressed all security and safety reasons.

"What remains are political arguments which have no place in cricket."

The International Cricket Council is set to decide on Thursday whether to agree to England's request to move their February 13 match.

Australia have also expressed some concerns but are still planning to play against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on February 24, while India, Pakistan, the Netherlands and Namibia have said they are happy to go ahead with their games as scheduled.

New Zealand, meanwhile, are refusing to play their match against Kenya in Nairobi on February 21, also because of security fears. They have yet to formally appeal to the ICC for a shift of venue.

Six World Cup pool matches are due to be staged in Zimbabwe, with two more in Kenya. South Africa is scheduled to host 46.