English umpires Peter Willey and Neil Mallender catapulted the Zimbabwe crisis back to the top of the World Cup agenda on Monday when both men refused to travel to the strife-torn country to officiate in two matches.
Willey and Mallender, both former England Test players, carried out their threat that if the England team boycotted their scheduled World Cup match in Harare on Feb. 13 on security grounds, then they would follow.
Willey was due to stand in two matches in Bulawayo -- Zimbabwe's game next Monday against Australia and as third umpire for the home side's Feb. 28 match with the Dutch.
Mallender was to be third umpire in Sunday's game.
"I advised the International Cricket Council (ICC) some time ago of my concerns and indicated that if my employer, the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board), did not send its team to Zimbabwe, I would be unlikely to travel to the country," Willey said.
News of Willey's decision was greeted with anger in Harare with Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) chief executive Vince Hogg livid at the latest row to hit his country which is still counting the multi-million dollar cost of England's cancelled game.
"Just what is the matter with these people?," Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) chief executive Vince Hogg said on Monday.
"I am at the hotel where all the teams stay. Security here and at both our grounds is extremely tight. Willey has absolutely no need to worry on that account, nor any one else."
India are currently in Harare where they will play Zimbabwe today, needing a win to stay in the tournament.
A defeat will create further uproar back home where angry fans have already taken to the streets following the nine-wicket humiliation by Australia last Saturday.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's World Cup players Andy Flower and Henry Olonga are set to continue their black armband protest against the regime of president Robert Mugabe when their team plays India.
The two men, who have kept their places in the team for the Group A game, escaped punishment last week from the ICC for their protest as well as for releasing a powerful statement, during the game against Namibia the previous Monday, condemning the conditions in the country.
The two players, widely applauded for their brave stand, were not available for comment on Monday but a team source said that the protest goes on.
"I doubt whether they will change their minds," the source said.
The new Zimbabwe controversy served to deflect attention away from under-pressure South Africa skipper Shaun Pollock who spent Monday dodging the verbal bullets heading his way after his side's loss to New Zealand on Sunday.
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