England given the go-ahead

England's World Cup match against Zimbabwe next month was today given clearance by the International Cricket Council.

The ICC made the decision after claiming they were satisfied with security arrangements for the six matches scheduled to be staged in the country.

England will now face Zimbabwe in Harare on Thursday, February 13 in their opening match of the tournament.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed, speaking at a London press conference today, said: "Following my visit to Zimbabwe this week I gave a report to the ICC board.

"The board re-affirmed their earlier decision, which was that there wasno reason to relocate the matches to be played in Zimbabwe."

The England and Wales