England’s cricket chiefs had been told failure to tour Zimbabwe as planned in November could result in the Champions Trophy being moved to another host nation.
But now the ICC top brass have hinted the tournament is safe – and that a range of other penalties will be imposed should England change their touring schedule.
Said ICC president, Ehsan Mani: “If England don't tour Zimbabwe we have processes in place to deal with that.”
The ICC Champions Trophy is the only occasion outside the ICC Cricket World Cup when all of the world’s top cricket sides are brought together in one competition.
The ICC’s ten full member countries will be joined this September by Kenya and the USA. This is the first time the USA has ever qualified for a major ICC event.
The 15 matches will be played at The Oval in London, Edgbaston in Birmingham and the Rose Bowl in Hampshire. Tickets will be sold directly by the three venues.
