Sharjah and Morocco possible neutral venues

Sharjah and Morocco are being considered as neutral venues if the U.S.-led attacks on Afghanistan indefinitely prevent neighbouring Pakistan from hosting cricket tours.

New Zealand and Sri Lanka have already cancelled tours to Pakistan because of security fears and the uncertainty surrounding visits to the sub-continent will be discussed at next week's meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Kuala Lumpur.

The meeting, which was transferred from Lahore, begins on Monday and concludes on Friday.

At a media briefing at Lord's on Monday ICC president Malcolm Gray said the political situation in the sub-continent was a huge problem.

"Our hope is that it might be short and sharp and we can get over it quickly," he said. "But if the situation continues it will cause enormous problems logistically and financially for the game.

"It's possible Pakistan's home matches could be played at independent venues if that becomes necessary."

Reports from Pakistan this week said the Pakistan Cricket Board had agreed in principle to staging home tests in independent venues with Sharjah and Morocco both possibilities.

TOUGHER PENALTIES

West Indies have delayed making a final decision on their tours of Sri Lanka this year and Pakistan early in the new year until they have discussed the issue at next week's meeting.

A wide range of other issues will be discussed in Kuala Lumpur next week, including tougher penalties for player indiscipline and penalties for countries failing to fulfil fixture commitments.

"We have asked the board to increase penalties for on-field misbehaviour," said ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed. "We seek to remove the limit on the referee's ability to fine players, currently limited to 75 percent of the player's match fee.

"We have asked it to remove the limit on the period of suspension, currently limited to three test matches or six one-day internationals. There will be no upper limits on fines and suspensions."

Speed said the ICC did not want to change the fiercely competitive nature of international cricket.

"What we seek is to remove sledging (verbal abuse) and excessive appealing from the game entirely," he said.

The corruption scandal, which has tarnished the game's image since former South Africa captain Hansie Cronje admitted taking money from bookmakers last year, is also on the agenda.

"We are realistic enough to know that betting on cricket matches will continue," Speed said.

"In excess of $250 million is wagered on each one-day international match, with similar amounts bet on test matches, incredible figures that are steadily rising.

"With regret, we know that the same bookmakers and gamblers who have corrupted cricketers in the past remain operational."

Mail Cricket Editor