HOME   
   NEWS   
   BUSINESS   
   CRICKET   
   SPORTS   
   MOVIES   
   NET GUIDE   
   SHOPPING   
   BLOGS  
   ASTROLOGY  
   MATCHMAKER  


Search:



The Web

Rediff








Cricket
News
Diary
Specials
Schedule
Interviews
Columns
Gallery
Wallpapers
Statistics
Earlier Tours
Domestic Season



Home > Cricket > World Cup 2003 > News > Report



January 17, 2003 13:20 IST

World Cup director Ali Bacher will visit Zimbabwe to make sure it is safe to hold matches in the troubled African nation.

Dr Ali BacherZimbabwe will host six matches during the World Cup but is currently affected by political unrest and threatened by famine.

World Cup organisers have refused to move the games from Zimbabwe unless the security situation deteriorates.

Bacher said he has met the South African police to discuss the matter.

'I was told our police and the Zimbabwe police are in close, regular contact,' he said.

'We can expect a safe and secure World Cup in Zimbabwe. I'm going up there in the next 10 days to get a feel of what the situation is.'

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Protest groups in Zimbabwe will hold demonstrations to coincide with World Cup matches in the country.

Opposition groups are unhappy that Zimbabwe is being allowed to host the matches because of President Robert Mugabe's human rights record.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Shaun PollockSouth African skipper Shaun Pollock believes his squad has a good chance of becoming the first side to win a cricket World Cup at home, but admitted that playing one-day games was 'a bit of a lottery.'

'I have confidence in every single individual we have in our squad, that they can perform in any situation,' Pollock said.

'We have got a team that can go all the way,' he said.

South Africa have had a good season, beating Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in both Tests and one-day internationals.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Contrary to media reports this week, South African batsman Daryll Cullinan has not retired from international cricket.

Cullinan was not selected for the South Africa A tour to Zimbabwe and made himself unavailable for the tour to England, hence the confusion over his future.

The batsman said he would have jumped at the chance to play another Test series in England if chosen, but recently committed himself to an ICC development project in Africa.

'The time to call it quits may be drawing near but I haven't made any final decision yet,' Cullinan said.

Schedule | Interviews | Columns | Discussion Groups | News | Venues



Article Tools

Email this Article

Printer-Friendly Format

Letter to the Editor



Related Stories


Zimbabwe contingency plan

Zimbabwe faces dismal future

'Zimbabwe is absolutely safe'



People Who Read This Also Read


India unpredictable

Australian crowds unfair: Murali

1983 World Cup/First Round







HOME   
   NEWS   
   BUSINESS   
   CRICKET   
   SPORTS   
   MOVIES   
   NET GUIDE   
   SHOPPING   
   BLOGS  
   ASTROLOGY  
   MATCHMAKER  
Copyright © 2003 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.