England will play their World Cup fixture in Zimbabwe next month despite British government opposition, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Tuesday.ECB chief executive Tim Lamb told a news conference at Lord’s: “The decision of the management board was unanimous. We have not been elected to make decisions of a political nature.”He blamed the government for trying to force cricket to make “a unique and unilateral sacrifice” while not stopping British companies from trading with Zimbabwe, a former British colony. Five days ago Culture, Sport and Media Secretary Tessa Jowell told the ECB that the government opposed the February 13 match against Zimbabwe because of security concerns and what she called the appalling human rights record of President Robert Mugabe’s government.The conference was delayed for almost two hours by protesters who barged past security officials, displaying placards saying “Bowl out killer Mugabe”, “No cricket while Zimbabwe burns”, and “Berlin 1936, Harare 2003”.Lamb said England would not take part in any official ceremonies which could be seen to endorse Mugabe.Australia, Pakistan, India, Namibia and the Netherlands are also scheduled to play in Zimbabwe. The Australian government has also opposed the games in Zimbabwe but, like its British counterpart, has said it would not force its national team not to play. The ECB has argued it is not qualified to make political decisions and has said it would face heavy fines if it broke contracts to play the match. (Reuters)
