External: ICC welcomes decisions of Interim (ZIM's) Board to withdraw from Test cricket.

[Ahmed_B]

Jon Long
January 19, 2006

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today welcomed the decisions of Interim Committee of Zimbabwe Cricket to withdraw from its Test cricket commitments until 2007 and to commission an independent investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement.

ICC President Ehsan Mani said that Zimbabwe Cricket had made the right decision in withdrawing from Test cricket in 2006.

"Zimbabwe Cricket has taken a sensible step in withdrawing from its Test cricket commitments for the coming year," said Mr Mani.

"The Zimbabwe team has demonstrated in recent series that it is not in a position to be competitive in Test cricket and its decision to withdraw from its commitments over the next 12 months helps protect the integrity of the international game.

"During this period we will support Zimbabwe Cricket by encouraging other members to host and undertake tours that expose Zimbabwe's elite cricketers to the longer form of the game.

"We will closely monitor the performance and progress of the team and towards the end of the year we will work with Zimbabwe Cricket to determine the most appropriate course of action."

Mr Mani also supported the Interim Committee's decisions to investigate allegations of financial mismanagement and involve a players' representative in its Technical and Player Welfare Committee.

Full Report: ICC

Edited on, January 21, 2006, 2:44 PM GMT, by Ahmed_B.
Reason: Shorten Title