da bet esporte： COLOMBO – Former Australian Test turned Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh hasurged Australia and England to play their scheduled World Cup cricketmatches in Zimbabwe next year.
Michael Donaldson11-Sep-2002COLOMBO – Former Australian Test turned Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh hasurged Australia and England to play their scheduled World Cup cricketmatches in Zimbabwe next year.Australia cancelled a tour of Zimbabwe earlier this year amid securityfears and both the British and Australian governments have warned theircitizens not to travel to Zimbabwe because of the ongoing violence.But Marsh, who has been in Harare for the past year, endorsed Zimbabweas a sub-host of the World Cup.Zimbabwe is due to host all six of its World Cup matches at home,including games against England and Australia.”It’s fine, I live there fulltime, Harare is very safe,” Marsh saidahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in Colombo.”I’ve had no problems, I’ve been safe there and have enjoyed my timethere.”I’m looking forward to the England and Australian sides coming for theWorld Cup.”Asked if his comments could be taken as active encouragement, Marsh said”yes”.But he hasn’t formally talked to any Australian cricket officials.”I’ve spoken to nobody but lot of guys have asked ‘what’s it like inZim’ and I’ve said fine, ‘it’s a safe place to live’.”Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak said chief executives from nations due toface Zimbabwe next February and March, would be invited there later thisyear to check out conditions when Zimbabwe hosts Pakistan.”There’s an invitation from our board going out to all the other teamsthat are playing in our group at the World Cup, inviting the CEOs tocome to Zimbabwe when Pakistan are playing there to see for themselveswhat it is like,” Streak said.”I’m sure when Pakistan come it will be a good test for the rest of theworld to see that things are actually all right when it comes to sport -I don’t see any problems arising.”I’m confident things will go smoothly for the World Cup.”I know as far as the security goes there’s no problems with touringZimbabwe. Our government and our minister of sport have pledged theirsupport.”Streak’s farming father Denis, a former Zimbabwe manager, recently spentthree days in jail because of his resistance to the reclamation of farmsfor black Zimbabweans.Streak wouldn’t be drawn on the controversy, other than to say: “It’s aperiod of change in Zimbabwe and everybody’s affected in some way.”There’s certainly no problems in Zimbabwe at the moment – the securityis absolutely fine. All our families are there – we certainly don’t haveany problems and we’re confident the six group matches will go ahead inZimbabwe.”