ECB and players say England still likely to be in Harare

Amid much press speculation that the England players have come out strongly against fulfilling their World Cup fixture in Harare on February 13th, ECB chief executive Tim Lamb and players' representative Richard Bevan have both indicated the likelihood that England will be in Zimbabwe as scheduled.

Speaking on BBC Radio, Bevan, managing director of the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA), said there was legitimate concern over the security situation among the players. However, he refuted widespread reports about more sinister developments.

"The players have not received death threats, they have not received letters. They have received propaganda about the disastrous state Zimbabwe is in."

He went on to say that England captain Nasser Hussain had asked him to confirm this point.

Speaking on the same programme, Lamb said, "We can understand the players' misgivings but the best information we have is that the players are fully committed to going.

"There will be a statement tomorrow and I very much hope that the outcome of that statement will be that the players will reaffirm their intention to go, providing the security situation is kept under review in the run-up to the match."

Bevan continued, "The players over the last few months have had numerous discussions about this. Certainly in the minds of some of the players they're going to be torn, but ultimately they are contracted to the ECB, and their responsibility is to their contracts.

"They have had reservations for a number of weeks, but that's not to say they weren't going to commit to the ECB and actually go. The players are supportive of the ECB, they are supportive of what Tim Lamb is trying to do."

The statement from the players is expected tomorrow. As well as reaffirming their position, they are likely to take the opportunity to express their dislike of the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe in order to distance themselves from any accusation that, by appearing in Harare, they are in any way supporting his policies.

At the same time, all sides will be watching the security situation and any significant deterioration could trigger an immediate change of attitude.