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| East/Subsaharan Africa |
| Aussies delay verdict on World Cup cricket match in Zimbabwe |
| 2003-02-06 |
| Hey Fred, can I be an official Rantburg sports correspondent? Leading Australian players and team officials met with the Australian High Commissioner to Zimbabwe on Tuesday. All parties were happy with the outcome, despite reports the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) was to be told Zimbabwe was unsafe for their players. "Just don't walk around with any grain in your pockets and you should be okay, lads." But Australia were quick to stress their decision was not final, pointing to the fact there is still almost three weeks until their game in Bulawayo on 24 February."At this stage, we are committed to playing in I certainly imagine what the U.S. military could do with three weeks time, but in cricket? Is that enough time for a round, or whatever the heck you call in inning? "There is no use rushing any dramatic decisions and we will take on board any possible information we can get to make the most correct decision." This guy sounds like Blixie. The stopgap decision thrusts the spotlight back onto England and the uncertainty surrounding their match in Zimbabwe - due to be played 11 days earlier in Harare. On Monday, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) formally asked to have their match moved to South Africa. But I think we all saw that coming. The reigning tournament champions will observe with vested interest, the result possibly paving the way for them to follow suit. ACB chief executive James Sutherland was quick to divert attention to cricketing matters. "They are cricketers, and their focus is on what is the biggest event in world cricket," he said. "What they really want to do is play good cricket." Even in a land of hunger, torture and strife? |
| Posted by:Steve White |