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January 19, 2003 16:00 IST
World Cup sponsors Hero Honda have offered to help end the dispute over commercial contracts.
The Indian players, who make more money through endorsements than through match fees, are opposed to International Cricket Council demands that they freeze personal advertising before, during and after the event so as not to clash with official sponsors.
Hero Honda, who are India's biggest motorbike manufacturers, said on Saturday that the company is prepared to help by relaxing its rights to the February 9 to March 23 event.
"We confirm that Hero Honda will walk any mile and extend all flexibility to ensure the participation of the Indian cricket team at the 2003 World Cup," a company statement said.
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The Kenya National Sports Council insists that it has met security requirements laid down by the ICC for the two World Cup matches to be staged in Nairobi.
Chairman Joshua Okuthe said the council would send a written undertaking to tournament organisers in South Africa and the ICC.
"The issues raised by the ICC have all been looked at and resolved and the private security provider will work closely with the Kenya police to ensure all goes well," he added.
Earlier this week, an ICC delegation inspected the facilities at the Gymkhana Ground, where Kenya will play Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
New Zealand had voiced concerns about playing in the country after last November's terrorist attack on a hotel in Mombasa, in which 16 people were killed.
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The two World Cup matches scheduled to be played in Kenya next month could still be moved out of the country due to safety concerns, tournament director Ali Bacher said on Friday.
"We're not contemplating any of the matches being moved but, in the event of a worst-case scenario, we have the structures and the capacity to accommodate any changes if ruled by the International Cricket Council," Bacher said.
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England's 33-year-old all-rounder Craig White has been set a deadline of February 4 to prove his fitness for the World Cup.
He had hoped to be back for the finals of the triangular tournament in Australia, where England are poised to play against the hosts.
But his side strain has not cleared up quickly enough.
England are due to play their first World Cup warm-up match against Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth on February 4.
If White fails to get fit for that, he may be replaced in the 15-man squad.
"Craig White is the one that we have to have a real look at," said coach Duncan Fletcher.
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Indian World Cup heroes Kapil Dev and Madan Lal have begun legal action over player contracts for the World Cup.
The pair, both members of India's 1983 World Cup-winning side, was among six signatories to a public litigation petition submitted to the Delhi high court.
They are seeking a direction that the government should not pay any tax benefits to the official sponsors of the tournament should any Indian player be banned from the World Cup.
Since last year the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the International Cricket Council have been at loggerheads over clauses in the contracts.
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Gordon Greenidge will be the ‘technical' coach for the Bangladesh team in a short-term appointment leading up to the World Cup.
The West Indies batting legend had previously been Bangladesh's coach before being unceremoniously discarded during the 1999 World Cup in England.
Greenidge will be with the team as they tour Namibia up until the end of January.
The short tour to the southern African country neighbouring South Africa will be Bangladesh's main preparation ahead of the big tournament starting in early February.
Greenidge's reappearance has led to speculation that he will take over from incumbent coach Mohsin Kamal after the World Cup.
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