Zimbabwe cricket chief hits out

LONDON (AP):

Zimbabwe's cricket authority reacted angrily yesterday to the threat of expulsion by the International Cricket Council, asking why no other sports' governing bodies have threatened similar action.

The 13 members of the ICC executive board discuss the issue on Wednesday, but Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Ozias Bvute urged the ICC against imposing sporting sanctions.

"We are a full member of FIFA and are currently participating in a World Cup qualifying campaign, we have a swimming programme which has produced Kirsty Coventry, a recent winner in the world championships," Bvute told the British Broadcasting Corp. "So it would be strange that the only sport to take action on so-called current worries is cricket when all the other world sporting bodies have not taken that stance."

Sent letter

The cricket authority has sent a letter to all 13 members, describing the expulsion threat as politically motivated.

Ahead of the ICC meeting, both the English and South African cricketing authorities have severed ties with their Zimbabwean counterparts, while the British government said it is opposed to Zimbabwe touring England next summer and participating in the Twenty20 World Cup, also in England.

"I cannot speculate on the outcome (Wednesday) but we have obviously noted the actions of others," Bvute said. "Over the last few years, there have been problems between England and Zimbabwe. This is not a new phenomena."