ICC MUST ALLOW CRICKET TOUR TO BE CANCELLED

Following today's meeting between the ECB and the Government, and Liberal Democrat questions on the floor of the House of Commons regarding the future of the England cricket team's Zimbabwe tour, Bath’s MP, Don Foster who is Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, said:

"Robert Mugabe may be the architect of the ECB's dilemma, but the ICC is also to blame.

"Earlier today, Leader of the House Peter Hain agreed with me that it was a "good idea" for all political parties to work together with the ECB to persuade the ICC to change its rules.

"So there is possible action the Government could take to end the tour without penalising English cricket. Time is short. The Government must act now -and they have willing parties to work with them."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Don Foster MP has asked the Government a series of written and oral questions on the Zimbabwe tour, including a question on the floor of the House of Commons today to the Leader of the House.

2. Mr Foster has written to the Sports Minister suggesting a cross-party initiative to help the ECB persuade the ICC to change their rules.

3. Currently "moral criteria" are not accepted as legitimate grounds for tour cancellation.

4. Today, the ECB met with the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The ECB's comments at the press conference suggest the tour is still likely to go ahead.

This article published: 06/05/2023

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