World Sport Group (WSG) Nimbus confirmed Saturday that they had initiatedlegal proceedings against the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka(BCCSL) following their decision to cancel a three year television, radioand sponsorship deal earlier this week.The sports marketing consortium revealed that it had commenced arbitrationproceedings in Singapore and had also submitted an application to the HighCourt in Colombo.A media release, states: "WSG Nimbus confirms that yesterday afternoon itfiled a Notice of Arbitration with the Singapore International ArbitrationCentre ("SIAC") commencing proceedings in connection with its agreement withthe Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL)."It also submitted an application to the High Court in Colombo yesterday tohave the ex parte order granted there on 16th October dismissedThe BCCSL called for fresh tenders for international broadcasting rightsTuesday after advice from the Attorney General and having obtained anenjoining order from the High Court. WSG Nimbus, however, maintains that thethree-year agreement signed last December remains binding."WSG Nimbus is seeking relief from the SIAC primarily to affirm that itsagreement remains binding on the BCCSL," reads the statement issued fromSingapore."WSG Nimbus will continue to take all legal measures available to it touphold its rights under the agreement and to obtain compensation for thelosses suffered and the damage to its reputation and business caused by theactions of the BCCSL."

West Indies’ hopes of staging a comeback in this three-Test series in theSecond Test at Kandy, however unlikely they may seem to the rationalobservers in Galle, are being boosted by a much talked about hill-countrycurse on the home team.Sri Lanka have lost their last three Tests in Kandy, all of which followedthumping wins in Galle, prompting fears amongst superstitious local fans andplayers that the team is the victim of a hoodoo.In a country where marriage dates are set according to the alignment of thestars, the politicians sound out astrologers when deciding on strategy, andwhere minted palm readers lurk in every hotel foyer, apparently irrationalfears pose a serious hurdle for the Sri Lankans.The Sri Lankan cricket board was so concerned about the trend that they hadplanned to re-jig the itinerary and hold the Second Test in Colombo. Theplan had to be abandoned, though, for security reasons when an election was called for early December.Dav Whatmore, whose coaching philosophy is firmly founded on the dictates ofscience, is desperately trying to focus the player’s minds on the processesnecessary for success.”First of all, we have to acknowledge that our record in Kandy hasn’t beengood,” he said.”But a cricket match is not won or lost by any hoodoo, voodoo or horoscopes or whatever. It is won or lost by what you do out in the middle.””The team hasn’t done well here recently (remember, though, that webeat Australia on this ground in 1999) for no reason other than the cricket.The bottom line is that during these games we have made crucial mistakes atcritical times.””During occasional sessions we haven’t done very well at all and whilst youcan’t win a game in that hour or two, you can sure go a long way towardslosing it. Unfortunately, that’s what we have been guilty of.”There are indeed some more rational explanations for Sri Lanka’s recentfailure. Most strikingly, all three matches have been closely fought highpressure encounters where Sri Lanka had surrendered an early initiativeduring short, self destructive passages of play, usually in their secondinnings.The reasons for defeat point towards a vulnerability under pressure. Thepertinent question is whether, with four Test victories in five matches nowunder their belt, their confidence has been buoyed sufficiently for them toperform during these high tensile passages of play.There is another reason for Sri Lanka’s failure in Kandy too – the pitchoffers the faster bowlers extra bounce and lateral assistance if they arewilling to bend their backs. In all three losses, against South Africa,England and India, the opposition’s fast bowlers have played crucialwicket-taking roles.The pitch itself is getting browner by the day, but still has a green tinge,and Whatmore believes “the pitch should be kinder to the fast bowlerswith a little extra pace and bounce which will, of course, also help the spinbowlers.”This should be good news for West Indies, who look set to pick three fastbowlers.Carl Hooper, speaking after the team’s final practice, said: “Ithink we played into their hands picking two spinners in Galle and we wantto stick with what we know best here and play three quicks. Hopefully therewill be something for them in the pitch and we can make use of it. Theresults in previous Test matches certainly suggest that fast bowlers comeinto their own here.”West Indies will be happy with the form of Mervyn Dillon and hoping that hisopening partner in Galle, Colin Stuart, who bowled better as the matchprogressed (not so hard when you start so badly), is finding his form at theright time.The choice of the third fast bowler, however, poses a problem. Reon King isstill unfit and has asked to leave the tour so he can undergo surgery in theWest Indies, whilst Pedro Collins and Marlon Black are yet to play a game inSri Lanka. Collins, a left-arm fast bowler, who last played in Zimbabwe as areplacement, is considered favourite to play.Sri Lanka have boosted their spin bowling with the recall of 29-year-oldleg-spinner Upul Chandana, who played the last of his five Test matchesagainst South Africa 15 months ago. But he is unlikely to play as left-armspinner Niroshan Bandaratillake is rewarded for his key wickets on the lastmorning in Galle.The one likely change is the recall of left-arm fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa, whois fully fit again after seven months on the sidelines with an ankle injury. Hehas played only one first-class match since then, but has impressedsufficiently to be given a chance in place of Charitha Buddika Fernando.Likely teams:Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara,Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillakaratne, Thilan Samaraweera,Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Niroshan Bandaratillake, Muttiah Muralithathan.West Indies: Carl Hooper (capt), Daren Ganga, Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan,Brian Lara, Marlon Samuels, Ridley Jacobs, Mervyn Dillon, Colin Stuart,Dinanath Ramnarine, Pedro Collins.

In the last 10 days, there has been a massive furore in India over the scrap between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the respective cricket boards of India and South Africa. Former Indian cricketers, television commentators and a section of the media seem to have lost their sense of balance. Dragging in issues of discrimination, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) even took the matter to parliament. The captain of England, Nasser Hussain, however, is unruffled by the turn of events. In a press conference held at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur, on the eve of the final tour match, Hussain, with characteristic restraint, explained his stance:On what happened with Mike Denness, the boards and the ICC in South Africa:We’re going to play a Test in a week and are preparing for that. What’s happening in South Africa is none of our business. Too much has been said on the issue in the last week or so and I don’t want to add to this. All I can say is that cricket has suffered.What would he do if India picked Virender Sehwag for the Mohali Test:My decision is to pick my best side and get the best out of them. It is for other offices around the world to sort out this matter. We are going to turn up at Mohali and are looking forward to playing India, who are a great side.What could be expected if the Test at Mohali is also declared unofficial:We are a team that always plays by the ICC rules. ICC is the governing body and if they say the Test is on, we will play, whether it is in Kathmandu or Mohali. As of now, no one has said that the Test is unofficial. As far as we’re concerned, either the Test is on or it isn’t.On how shocked he is by the events in South Africa:I want us to go back to playing cricket. I, for one, can’t believe that we are watching an India-South Africa match, with all the focus on off the field events.

Chris Harris’ second century of the season has put Canterbury in a commanding position at the end of the first day of their State Championship contest against Northern Districts in Gisborne.The visitors are 333 for six, with Harris unbeaten on 103.ND will be regretting their decision to give Canterbury first use of a greenish pitch when play started an hour late after mopping up operations had been completed.There was occasional lateral movement, but nothing that posed a great threat to generally disciplined batting from Canterbury. The pitch got flatter as the day went on, but had sufficient pace to enable the batsmen to time the ball well.Debutant opener Shanan Stewart impressed in the first session. He scored 57 in a relaxed and confident manner. ND 12th man Simon Doull, doubling as summariser on Radio Sport, commented on the way in which Stewart got well forward, the perfect antidote to whatever threat the pitch had to offer.Stewart was harsh on slow left-armer Bruce Martin, driving him successively for four and six.Canterbury skipper Gary Stead made 62 in aggressive manner, though he rode his luck offering two chances to Mark Bailey at second slip off Joseph Yovich after lunch.A criticism of the Canterbury top order would be that too many batsmen got out when established.At 202 for five, ND had the chance to finish Canterbury off for under 300, justifying the decision to field. The sixth wicket partnership of 104 between Harris and Gareth Hopkins put paid to that.Harris reached his century with a sweep off Martin. He has received 182 balls and has hit 11 fours and two sixes. It is the eleventh century of his career and during the innings he passed 5000 first-class runs in his career.The pace of Harris’ innings varied according to the quality of the bowling. He was quick to punish anything loose, especially if it was short. He worked more accurate bowling around, rarely allowing the bowlers to settle. His form this season – 366 runs in five innings – suggests that he should not be regarded as solely a one-day specialist.ND skipper Robbie Hart changed the bowlers around regularly in an attempt to make a decisive breakthrough. Graeme Aldridge was economical. Yovich bowled with pace and suffered from fielding lapses. Scott Styris harnessed the conditions best, finishing the day with 18-6-33-3. Grant Bradburn was unusually expensive. Martin bowled four overs for 31.The most disappointing was Daryl Tuffey who needed a good day in order to impress the selectors in advance of the first Test in Hamilton next week. He searched unsuccessfully for a consistent line and length and remains plagued by over-stepping problems.ND coach Bruce Blair remained optimistic at the close of play. He told CricInfo that the decision to put Canterbury in was based more on the form of the bowlers than any expectation of help from the pitch. He praised the performance of Styris and defended the below par performance of Tuffey.”He’s been sitting around in Australia for the past month wihout much cricket under his belt. We’ve got to get him back into the groove.”Blair was impressed by the performance of Stewart.”He looked to play positively when the ball was in his zone and he has had a good start to his first-class career.”He sees the emergence of players like Stewart as a vindication of the Academy system.”The shift to developing fewer players, but of higher quality, has been the way to go.”Blair sees 370 to 380 as par for the course on a good batting surface.”The onus will be on us to get out there to show the same positiveness and confidence as Canterbury.”If this is to be achieved, ND will have to remove Harris at an early stage. It has been his day, not for the first time this season.

Pace bowler Joe Dawes will continue his domestic one-day career for the XXXX Queensland Bulls in Friday’s ING Cup day/night match against the Western Warriors.Dawes was called into the squad that departed yesterday for Perth following Andy Bichel’s retention in the Australian Third Test squad.The strapping right-arm quick has not had a lengthy stint in the Queensland one-day outfit, playing one match last season, although he made his 2001-2002 debut in the win over New South Wales in November.Dawes is likely to enjoy an extended stint in Queensland colours for the next month with Bichel also included in the Australian one-day squad for the VB Series against New Zealand and South Africa this month.Bichel, opener Matthew Hayden and allrounder Andrew Symonds have been named in the Australian squad while Bulls opener Jimmy Maher will also enjoy a stint at the top of the order for Australia ‘A’ against New Zealand in Brisbane and Adelaide.Maher, who is 178 runs behind his Australia ‘A’ captain Darren Lehmann in career domestic one-day runs, will be in action at the Gabba on Tuesday, January 10, for Australia ‘A’ in a day/night clash against the Black Caps.Meanwhile Friday’s clash at the WACA will be Michael Kasprowicz’s 50th domestic one-day game for Queensland, joining Martin Love, Maher and captain Stuart Law as players to have achieved that mark.XXXX Queensland Bulls v Western Warriors, Jan 4, WACA: Stuart Law (c), Martin Love, Jimmy Maher, Andrew Symonds, Clinton Perren, Brendan Nash, James Hopes, Wade Seccombe, Joe Dawes, Nathan Hauritz, Ashley Noffke, Michael Kasprowicz.

New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns might miss tomorrow’s day-night cricket match against Australia at the MCG because of concerns about a back injury.The home side, which would almost certainly drop out of finals contention in the tri series with a loss, will bring in paceman Brett Lee and allrounder Ian Harvey for Jason Gillespie and Andrew Symonds.Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming said Cairns was receiving intensive physiotherapy today on a disc problem.The Kiwis will either rest or play their star player, rather than use him as a specialist batsman.”He’s probably ginger, would be the best word to describe it, certainly backing up yesterday was a tough ask and he probably suffered a little bit with his bowling,” Fleming said.”We’ll be cautious with him, while there’s 24 hours to starting time I’m not willing to commit whether he’ll be playing or not.”There’s work to be done and time to be taken – we’ll use it.”When asked whether Cairns needed rest, Fleming replied “absolutely”, but added the issue was when he should take some time out.Had New Zealand beaten South Africa last night in Adelaide, Cairns would definitely miss tomorrow’s match.Fleming said his side would be “conservative” with its selection tomorrow, but indicated Dion Nash would probably return.Australia will go into tomorrow’s match on the bottom of the series table behind the competition-leading Kiwis and South Africa.Each side has two matches to play before the finals start here on February 6.Australian captain Steve Waugh and his team-mates had last night off to refresh after Saturday’s 77-run loss to New Zealand in Adelaide.Waugh said he was impressed with this morning’s team meeting and a spirited training session at the MCG, promising a much better effort tomorrow against theKiwis.Keen to tone down constant debate about why the team is not playing well, Waugh also played down the significance of the team changes.”It’s just a matter of picking the side, I don’t want to get too complicated in it – alternative rotation, alternative injury, alternative form thing – we’re just picking 11 players, we’ll keep it simple,” Waugh said.Harvey has played only two of Australia’s matches in this series, but Waugh said the talent known as “Freak” had the potential to belong at this level.”He’s just got to back his ability – he’s a great player and a great talent,” Waugh said.”There’s no reason he shouldn’t do well at this level, his bowling has been excellent over the last 12-18 months and he’s done some good things with the bat.”Waugh is confident the out-of-sorts Australians can regain their touch tomorrow and still make the finals.”We know we can turn it around, you’ll see a side out there tomorrow desperate to win, but relaxed as well and confident in its ability,” Waugh said.”If we don’t win tomorrow, we’re not good enough – I can accept that as long as we go out there fighting and playing hard.”I don’t mind losing as we go down to the wire.”Squads:Australia: Steve Waugh (capt), Michael Bevan, Andy Bichel, Adam Gilchrist, Ian Harvey, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Glen McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne,Mark Waugh. Jason Gillespie or Andrew Symonds 12th man.New Zealand from: Stephen Fleming (capt), Andre Adams, Shane Bond, Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns, James Franklin, Chris Harris, Brendon McCullum, CraigMcMillan, Dion Nash, Adam Parore, Scott Styris, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent (team, 12th man to be named).

The KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins skipped past a couple of showers and the Western Province defences to retain the Standard Bank Cup by 28 runs in a disappointingly one-sided final at Kingsmead on Friday night.After veteran wicketkeeper Errol Stewart had lifted the Dolphins to a sizeable 223 for six with a blistering 53 off just 39 balls, WP never quite managed to find any kind of momentum, slipping to 103 for seven at one point before recovering slightly to be 195 for nine at the end.It was, unquestionably, the Dolphins’ night as they outplayed a Province team which managed, curiously, to be both a batsman and a bowler short. The Dolphins found the going difficult in the early stages on a pitch which occasionally stopped on them, but Dale Benkenstein’s solid, unbeaten 77 and a furious assault by Stewart gave the home side a defendable total.Stewart’s wonderfully-judged hitting eventually made all the difference between the two sides. KZN had moved steadily, but a little ponderously to 162 for five off 38 overs when rain brought a temporary halt to the innings for a second time.There was a third stoppage, but this time it was Stewart’s fault after he hit Alan Dawson over midwicket, onto the roof of the old grandstand and out into NMR Avenue and the night.Stewart and Benkenstein added 83 in just on seven overs for the sixth wicket as WP found themselves unable to stem the flow of runs.The initial advantage had been with the visitors after Neil Johnson had won the toss and asked the Dolphins to bat, but Stewart and Benkenstein’s late flurry took the game away from WP.This became more and more evident as WP lost two early wickets to Ross Veenstra and Nixon McLean even before Andrew Tweedie began a nine-over spell that brought him four for 33. His second scalp was perhaps his most important when he had man of the series Graeme Smith caught at square leg by Doug Watson and from there on WP slid steadily into deeper trouble.There was a 51 from Andrew Puttick while Dawson (52 not out) and Roger Telemachus added 56 off 47 balls for the ninth wicket before the end. But all this really amounted to was to delay the inevitable as the Dolphins, unbeaten through the season, again proved themselves the best limited overs team in the country for the second year running.

Redbacks bowler Paul Wilson is the only addition to an unchanged Pura Cuplineup that will take on the Tasmanian Tigers this weekend at Adelaide Ovalin a vital Pura Cup match.The Redbacks are currently sitting second on the Pura Cup table on 20points, with the Queensland Bulls leading the competition with 28. WesternAustralia and Tasmanina are both on 18 points.Redbacks paceman Paul Rofe currently leads the Pura Cup wicket takers with39 wickets at an average of 21.38.The Redbacks have named 13 players and will reduce the squad to 12 tomorrow.Squads:Southern Redbacks: Greg Blewett (c), Brad Young (v/c), Nathan Adcock, Chris Davies, David Fitzgerald, Mark Harrity, Ben Higgins, Ben Johnson, Graham Manou, Peter McIntyre, Paul Rofe, Mike Smith, Paul Wilson.Tasmanian Tigers: Jamie Cox (c), Daniel Marsh (v/c), Sean Clingeleffer, Gerard Denton, Michael Dighton, Michael Di Venuto, Xavier Doherty, Shane Jurgensen, Scott Kremerskothen, Scott Mason, David Saker, Shannon Tubb, Damien Wright.

Consistency is what both New Zealand and India are looking for in the second match of the National Bank One-Day International Series in Napier.Consistency in the playing surface which will allow for consistency in application, especially by the batsmen who have been threatening to join the ranks of the unemployed in the cricket played in the series overall.New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said today that the batting problems being experienced were probably due to the poorer quality of the wickets the series has been played on but he was hopeful that Napier’s McLean Park will at last provide some rewards for batting.However, so gun shy are players from both sides after all they have been through that it will be the side which best handles the transition to a friendlier surface that will have the best chance of success in this match.”I’m sure that both batting teams are looking forward to getting onto a consistent surface and then they can show some consistency which is what everyone is looking for and haven’t seen so far this summer,” he said.Fleming has been reasonably happy with his own form, although he would like more solid evidence that how he is feeling can be translated into some runs. He thought he was reasonably sound in the first Test in Wellington and felt “pretty good” in the second Test at Hamilton.”But when you’re nicking three or four in the nets or getting your off pin knocked over every second ball the general feeling is, ‘I don’t know.'”The only time you can get reasonably close to the middle of the bat is when you have throwdowns, which to me doesn’t equate. You can work on elemental stuff.”The bottom line is that we are crying out for some quality practice surfaces and some quality playing surfaces as selfishly as a batting unit and as a batter,” he said.The Auckland practice wickets had finally allowed some quality work to be done but it was getting quality runs in the middle that was most concerning him.But as far as his batting form was going, he just didn’t know.And he said a lot of his players were feeling confused about just where they were at.”When you feel like that you start searching for form or an indication that you are in form. It would be nice to rack up a good score tomorrow,” he said.Whether tomorrow is an occasion that the selectors will look to rest their bowling ace, fast bowler Shane Bond, is something that has not yet been decided. Fleming said it was a case of how Bond was holding up, and what the selectors wanted to see in this game because it was important for the selectors to get some answers from what will be their final look for the World Cup squad which has to be named by January 1.Fleming said it would be nice to go 2-0 up in the series here because it would be a big advantage in the seven-game contest and New Zealand would be determined to achieve that.”It’s all about momentum. If you can keep momentum going in a long series, I think every team is going to have the day at some stage and when you have your day you just have to clock it up which we were happy about doing the other day,” he said.

The row over England’s scheduled World Cup match in Harare took a new turn when the players’ representative, Richard Bevan, managing director of the Professional Cricketers Association, read out a statement on their behalf. The headline is that the England cricketers have made an “urgent request” that their World Cup match against Zimbabwe scheduled to be played in Harare on February 13th should be switched to South Africa.He reported that there is a highly volatile situation in Zimbabwe – a fact that was made plain during a recent meeting between players’ representatives, the England and Wales Cricket Board and Government officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.As a result, Bevan said, “The players today have requested an urgent review of their scheduled match against Zimbabwe in Harare on 13 February.”Without doubt the issues have been weighing heavily on the players minds, taking into account moral, political and contractual aspects.”The minutes of the recent meeting highlighted the concerns about security in Harare, including a firebomb attack on a political party’s office, the report by the Mayor of Harare that he could not guarantee security and reports from police that they had uncovered an arms cache allegedly for the use of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s opponents against England cricketers.Bevan added that the England players were concerned about the people of Zimbabwe and, in particular, Mugabe’s opponents who might well be targeted by the authorities.While this statement might be seen as a direct challenge to the ECB, it was stressed that the players are aware of the ECB’s situation and they are keen to support the board. However, they are definite that they want the match moved and for the Zimbabwe Cricket Union to be paid compensation.It was pointed out that the World Cup organisers have said that a final decision about the venue can be made as late as February 9th, and so ask that “a fresh review of security be made immediately.”They add, “We are keen to take as much time as necessary to ensure the right decision is made.”While acknowledging the difficult position in which the ECB finds itself, Bevan, on behalf of the players, had no such sympathy for the Government.”Much of the pressure on all parties could have been eased by a more decisive role from government. There have been no economic sanctions against Zimbabwe, or sporting sanctions and diplomatic ties have not been severed.”This was a theme taken up by ECB chief executive Tim Lamb when answering questions after the PCA statement had been read out. He went on to outline the ECB’s continuing position.”As things stand at the moment, the ECB supports the stance of the ICC, which is that matches should only be relocated to South Africa if there are genuine grounds for believing the safety of players or officials is under threat.”There will be a meeting by tele-conference this Thursday when the ECB’s chairman David Morgan will be representing us and there will be an update on security.”Lamb also underlined the fact that, despite the players’ statement, the match is still on.”What the players have not said today is that they are refusing to play the match. They have urged the ICC to move the match. There is this further opportunity on Thursday that we could review thatdecision.”He was asked if he was not embarrassed that it was the players who were issuing the statement and not the ECB and whether it was the duty of the board to back the England team rather than rigidly adhere to the ICC line. Lamb was in no doubt with his reply.”I have already had a long conversation with Malcolm Speed who is aware of the thrust of the statement from the players. I will have to discuss this with my chairman and he, or I, may decide we have to consult with the ECB Management Board before Thursday’s meeting but certainly we will take on board the players’ concerns.”We will listen carefully to what the players have to say. I’m sure that David Morgan will bear all this in mind when he takes part in the tele-conference on Thursday morning.”ICC chief executive, Malcolm Speed, responded to today’s announcement by the England players by saying that their concerns would be aired at the next ICC board meeting, scheduled for later this week.He said, "The process is in place for the English players, through their board, to have this issue discussed and debated."As recently as last Friday, the ICC board, including the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, David Morgan, met to consider this issue and no member sought to present any argument to the board to move the game."The ECB will have the opportunity to argue its case later this week during the ICC board teleconference which will again discuss the games scheduled for Zimbabwe and Kenya."Speed stressed that the only grounds for a change in venue would be the safety and security issues."The ICC is an international sporting organisation with 84 members with a variety of cultures, beliefs and political systems."Its members are in place to make judgments on cricket administration and not to take a political stance on foreign policy issues. This is the role and responsibility of governments."Many months ago, the ICC Executive Board discussed this issue and all members, including the ECB, endorsed this position. Of course, should the ECB wish to have this approach reviewed, it will be entitled to argue the case at the meeting on Friday."We are committed to monitoring the safety and security of players and officials in Zimbabwe and this is being done on a daily basis."To do this we have in place an effective system that will allow us to make a proper, fact-based assessment on the safety issues that each team will be faced with in Zimbabwe."There is in place a properly resourced and highly skilled Security Directorate that is responsible for the safety of all teams."The Directorate has put in place a thorough system to identify, assess and manage any safety and security issues and the tournament will see unprecedented levels of security for all games."The ICC has also now visited Zimbabwe on several occasions to assess the safety issues first-hand, visiting and listening to a number of diplomatic officials from the countries scheduled to play there as well as to a number of relevant stakeholders."In addition, the ICC has appointed an independent firm of international security advisers to provide its expert view on the situation in Zimbabwe."This thorough process allows the ICC to make a proper assessment of the safety and security risks to players and officials based on the expert advice of a range of well-qualified safety experts."As it currently stands, based on this expert advice the ICC board continues to see no reason to move the games. Should the situation change there is in place the system to alert the ICC to this and a proper decision making process to deal with any need to relocate games."Meanwhile, momentum is gathering to have all World Cup matches moved to South Africa. The Australians are due in Bulawayo on February 24th, but there is already a suggestion that they are unhappy about fulfilling the fixture.Asked if there was concern in the Australian camp about the situation, captain Ricky Ponting said, “There’s a little bit. I think there always will be.”I haven’t thought much about it yet. I don’t know what to expect until we get there, if we’re going. That decision is probably up in the air a little bit.”We’ll speak more about it over the next few days and probably when we get to South Africa work a few things out there.”The Australians forfeited a fixture in the 1996 World Cup in Sri Lanka, as well as declining to tour Zimbabwe in 2001.An Australian Cricket Board spokesman said: “We reserve the right not to go there right up until the last minute. Even if we arrive at the airport and have to fly out straight away we will.”There is still concern over the security situation in Nairobi, with New Zealand paying particular attention to the findings of the ICC security delegation.All this points to more problems for cricket. Should England, Australia and New Zealand decide against playing their matches in Zimbabwe and Kenya while the likes of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka fulfil such fixtures, there are several factions ready to point to a widening racial split in world cricket and exploit the situation for their own unsavoury ends.