India step up pressure on Zimbabwe crisis

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 13 AFP - Controversial Indian cricket chief Jagmohan Dalmiya raised the stakes in the Zimbabwe World Cup boycott crisis today by accusing the world governing body of going out of its way to help England.

Dalmiya, a former head of the International Cricket Council (ICC), criticised the current leadership of "bending backwards" to favour England in its bid to shift its scheduled clash with Zimbabwe away from Harare.

"Let the ICC decide whether it is safe to play in Zimbabwe or not," Dalmiya said one day before the tournament technical committee meets here to decide on the affair.

"If it is not safe, then it should shift all matches out of that country. But if it is safe, England should be docked four points."

England refused to play their Group A match in Harare, which was scheduled today, due to security concerns and claimed they had new evidence to support their claim which was being presented to the technical committee.

"It appears the ICC is bending over backwards to protect the interests of England at the cost of other competitors," Dalmiya said.

"We had waited for so long because we wanted an amicable solution and give the ICC enough time to sort out the matter.

"Being a competitor team playing in the same group, India could be put to a lot of disadvantage if England do not play in Zimbabwe.

"England's intention appears to be an intentional delay so that they can pursue a wait and watch policy to see how the other results in the group go before they make up their minds about playing in Harare."

Meanwhile, New Zealand, who have refused to play their Group B game against Kenya in Nairobi on February 21, eased their fears about having to reluctantly make that trip with a 20-run victory over the West Indies at Port Elizabeth.

The Kiwis, semi-finalists in two of the last three World Cups, made 241/7 from their 50 overs, with Nathan Astle top scoring with 46, before they dismissed the West Indies for 221.

Ramnaresh Sarwan hit 75 and Ridley Jacobs 50, but a tigerish display in the field ensured victory for the Kiwis.

The World Cup lost one its top fielders today when South Africa's Jonty Rhodes was forced out of his country's squad because of a broken hand.

The 33-year-old, who suffered the injury in a fielding accident against Kenya in Potchefstroom on Wednesday, was dropped from the squad to be replaced by Graeme Smith.

"It was one of the toughest conversations of my life," said Omar Henry, convenor of the South African selectors.

"Jonty wanted to stay in the squad and he was positive that he could be fit again in three weeks. But the medical specialists could not give me that guarantee. We had to make a decision."

Smith, 22, a tall left-hander who usually opens the batting, was regarded as the unluckiest player to miss the original World Cup selection.