ECB lobby for Zimbabwe exclusion

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Clarke took advantage of Pawar's presence at Lord's for Wednesday evening's 25th anniversary celebration of India's 1983 World Cup win to discuss the issue ahead of next Wednesday's decision day in Dubai.

Lord's chiefs officially severed bilateral ties with the African country earlier in the day. Unlike on previous occasions when the Zimbabwe issue has raised its head, this time the ECB have Government backing.

Political intervention will prevent the Zimbabweans fulfilling their scheduled tour here next year but it will take support of the other major nations to exclude them from the 2009 World Twenty20 event.

And India - like South Africa, who cut links with Zimbabwe Cricket on Monday - have been allies with the Zimbabweans in the past.

The ECB now hope cricket's global community recognise the need to act on moral grounds following the drastic deterioration of life in the African country under Robert Mugabe's regime.

Throwing Zimbabwe out is far from a certainty, hence the lobbying, but ICC president-elect David Morgan said: "I am sure that will be in the minds of many of the delegates.

"I think there is every chance that it could happen, but it would be a very difficult decision."

He added: "I reminded myself of a meeting of the executive board just a year ago when the subject of how member countries are governed was on the table.

"The executive board decided by a substantial majority politics and cricket should not mix. For matters to move forward there will have to be a change in that regard."