Cricket: Players shocked by 'bombshell' of media ban

JOHANNESBURG - England's cricketers have been disappointed and saddened by events surrounding their tour of Zimbabwe, players' chief Richard Bevan said on Thursday.

Bevan, chief executive of England's Professional Cricketers' Association, told a media conference: "From the players' perspective the last 24 hours have been disappointing and have saddened the players.

"They were very disappointed that the Zimbabwe government decided at the last moment to drop a bombshell that media people would not be accredited."

Bevan was speaking after the original decision barring 13 journalists was rescinded on Thursday morning.

The England team will fly out on Friday for five one-day games although a new itinerary has still to be worked out following the loss of Friday's first match in Harare.

England and Wales Cricket Board director of operations John Carr, who briefed the players at a meeting on Thursday, said: "We are delighted the decision has been fully reversed."

He added: "The tour has to take place to fulfil England's commitment to the (ICC's) Future Tours Programme. The goalposts were moved when accreditation was denied but we are back to where we were now."

- REUTERS