England to lose W/Cup $$

DURBAN: England’s decision to boycott its February 13 World Cup cricket match against Zimbabwe in Harare could cost it millions of dollars in lost revenue.

England, already facing the prospect of losing their share of the profits of the World Cup until it agrees to pay compensation for failing to play its group match in Harare, also faces the prospect of Zimbabwe refusing to travel to England for a two-Test tour in May. England and Wales Cricket Board chairman David Morgan told reporters during yesterday’s World Cup semifinal between India and Kenya that he would travel to Harare next week in an effort to save Zimbabwe’s proposed tour of England. New Zealand also forfeited a match against Kenya at Nairobi and it, too, faces the prospect of having a share of its World Cup profits withheld. An official review of those matters will be presented to the International Cricket Council (ICC) board in Johannesburg tomorrow  before a full decision is made about the level of compensation.

The ICC is expected to announce a World Cup profit of US$188 million, of which US$8 million will cover costs, and US$80 million is given to hosts South Africa. The remaining US$100 million is divided between the test-playing nations and the associate members of the ICC. But part of England’s share or the full amount could be withheld until the Zimbabwe issue is resolved. England has said it is unwilling to pay any compensation, maintaining that its security fears surrounding the Zimbabwe match were well founded and vowing to fight any demands for compensation. Morgan will speak at a board meeting of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union tomorrow to try and persuade the Zimbabweans not to boycott their England tour.