Morgan attempts to calm England's cup concerns

The new head of English cricket will try tomorrow to allay the players' growing concerns about their World Cup match in Zimbabwe. David Morgan, who became chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board this month, intends to address the whole squad and is also prepared to have individual discussions.

Although the ECB insists the meeting was planned before Morgan arrived in Australia, its urgency has increased considerably since the team's captain, Nasser Hussain, raised the mental turmoil besetting players.

Morgan said: "I think the concerns are not about their own safety. I think they're pretty pleased that will be perfectly fine and that their concerns now are of a moral nature. Basically, what people are going through there. What I shall be stressing is that playing one cricket match or not playing the match isn't going to do anything to change the lives of the people of Zimbabwe who are clearly suffering. Not playing could have an impact on the cricketers, including those with the 18 first-class counties."

The ECB has continuously toed the line laid down by the International Cricket Council, whose officials have repeatedly maintained that they cannot make any moral or political judgements on the regime run by President Robert Mugabe. Six matches are scheduled for Harare and Bulawayo in the pool stage of the World Cup, with England's fixture in Zimbabwe due on 13 February.

Even at this late stage, and after weeks of obstinacy by cricketing bodies, it would not be a total surprise if the games were moved. The safety of the players would certainly have to be in doubt but it would be convenient if that was to happen.

Hussain's words, after his team were beaten by Australia in the VB Series on Sunday, crystallised the team's scruples for the first time. "When you read and watch things round the world about Zimbabwe, you ask yourself some difficult questions," he said. "That's what everyone around the world is doing, even the Zimbabwe cricketers." There are no signs whatever of a split in the England ranks. The mood is still that of "one in, all in."

The ECB is concerned on two main fronts: the loss of money it could incur through fines from the ICC if England fail to play and the serious prospect of a split along racial lines in world cricket.

It is suggested that a second delegation will visit Zimbabwe to check that it is still fit for players but there has been no announcement so far. "I know it's really at the forefront of their minds," Morgan said. "They will not send cricketers to Zimbabwe if there is any deterioration in safety and security."

Duncan Fletcher, England's coach, repeated his statement that he would not comment on Zimbabwe. "I have said it before, I will stick by what the ECB says. When the World Cup is over, I will talk."

It was confirmed yesterday that Stephen Harmison has torn ligaments in his right ankle, which will rule him out of the first final in the VB Series against Australia on Thursday. He expects to be fit for the second match on Saturday.