UK to slap a cricket ban on Zimbabwe

UK to slap a cricket ban on Zimbabwe The British government is set to ban Zimbabwe's cricket team from touring England next year, it was reported today. The decision to ban Zimbabwe's cricket team from the UK is based on moral grounds and Culture Secretary Andy Burnham will hand a letter to the England and Wales Cricket Board on Wednesday detailing the stance of Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the issue. Zimbabwe are set to play two Tests and three home one-day internationals in England early next summer, before the Twenty20 World Cup, but experts agree the Cricket Board would likely impose the ban. UK is also trying to ensure that the Zimbabwe's cricket team will not be allowed to play in next summer's one-day internationals or the Twenty20 World Cup. The International Cricket Council will discuss a possible world ban at a meeting in Dubai on July 2nd. The political turmoil has led to Cricket South Africa (CSA) severing its sporting ties with the country, prompting the summit.

Tomorrow (June 25th) is the ODI game England v New Zealand, England's cricket team big favourite at the online sportsbook Paddy Power with odds 4/7, compared with New Zealand at 5/4. Also on Wednesday are the Asia Cup games Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, the latter 1/8 favourite wit Paddy and Hong Kong v India (Hong Kong 20/1 underdog), both played Neutral Venue.

Published on 06/24/2008