MELBOURNE, Dec 20: The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) is confident safety and security in Zimbabwe are sufficient for Australia to play a World Cup match against the home side in Bulawayo in February next year.

A 10-man delegation from cricket’s ruling body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), said on Thursday that World Cup matches would take place as planned in Zimbabwe next year.

The ICC delegation visited Zimbabwe last month to monitor the security situation in the light of the economic and political crisis gripping the country.

“We’ve seen the decision (by the ICC) and we support the decision,” ACB public affairs general manager Peter Young said on Friday.

World Cup champions Australia had earlier expressed concern about playing in Zimbabwe. An Australian tour of the Africa nation was called off in March after the Australia government advised its citizens not to travel there because of fears over election violence.

“We’ll be moving ahead with our World Cup plans which include an Australia-Zimbabwe fixture in Bulawayo on February 24,” Young added.

“The first priority for the Australian team is obviously their safety and security. We are confident safety and security are assured.”

ACB chief executive James Sutherland and Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Tim May were part of the ICC tour, Young said.—Reuters