Cricket South Africa (CSA) said it's ready to be the "neutral host"
in case Australia and Zimbabwe agree to go ahead with their controversial
one day series.
The three-match ODI series runs the risk of being scrapped altogether after
the Australian government banned its cricketers from travelling to Zimbabwe in
protest against the Robert Mugabe regime in the trouble-torn African nation.
Subsequently, Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland
floated the idea of having South Africa as a possible neutral venue.
Sutherland's South African counterpart, Gerald Majola, said
CSA would be happy to host the event, provided both the teams agreed
to the proposal.
"I haven't heard anything from anyone," Majola said
adding "Obviously Australia and Zimbabwe would have to agree to move the
tour first. If the two parties agreed to play there, then we would be fine with
that," Majola was quoted as saying by 'The Age'.
ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed, who backs the neutral venue
idea, said, "Given the choice between that and those matches not taking
place at all, we would obviously prefer them to be played.
"That will be for the two boards to work out but we would
encourage them to look at all options," Speed said.
"From an ICC perspective, we will work with Zimbabwe
Cricket and our members to try to ensure the game there gets the support it
needs in order to continue at this difficult time" he said.
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