LONDON, Feb 1: England’s cricketers’ association is to press again for sight of the Kroll Report which the International Cricket Council used as the basis of Thursday’s decision to go ahead with six World Cup matches in Zimbabwe.

The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) said after a teleconference on Saturday they had been told that the report would not be made available to players’ representatives.

However, a meeting could be arranged between representatives and the report’s authors in Cape Town at the end of next week.

A PCA statement said: “This is an unacceptable position. The PCA have been contacted by a member of the media who has had access to the Kroll Report which has led to serious concerns.

“Without doubt there is an element of risk as the Kroll Report confirmed ‘extensive disruptions of the matches are planned by elements in the opposition MDC party.’”

The statement also said “vital” legal issues had been raised at Saturday’s meeting. In addition, a letter had been requested to verify there were no problems over players’ insurance.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said on Thursday the Kroll Report had been “categorical in its ultimate assessment that it is safe and secure for all six matches in Zimbabwe to proceed as planned.”

Last Monday, the England team said they wanted their Feb 13 match with Zimbabwe moved to South Africa because of growing concern about the political situation in Zimbabwe.

The World Cup starts on Feb 9 with a game in Cape Town between South Africa and West Indies.—Reuters