ICC explains change of appointment for Zimbabwe series

The International Cricket Council today announced a change from the provisional appointments for the series between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka starting in Bulawayo tomorrow.

Chris Broad had been provisionally scheduled to officiate on the Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka Test series but following his reporting of the Sri Lanka bowler Muttiah Muralitharan the ICC changed the appointment to avoid the same official take charge of a series involving the same player during the six week Stage One period of the ICC's Bowling Review process.

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed explained that it is planned that Mr Broad will officiate in the Australia v Sri Lanka series later this year.

"Once Mr Broad informed the ICC that he would be filing this report the ICC felt it would be sensible to appoint an alternate official to take charge of this series as it falls during Stage One of the review process," said Mr Speed.

"Mr Broad has been provisionally selected as the referee for the forthcoming Australia v Sri Lanka series in July.

"Sri Lanka Cricket has contacted the ICC about this particular appointment and has been requested to provide its views in writing.

"SLC has been advised that it would have to provide a compelling reason for Mr Broad not fulfil this appointment for the ICC to consider changing it."

Mike Procter from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Referees will take charge of the series while Daryl Harper from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Ian Howell from the Emirates International Panel will stand in alternate matches alongside locally-appointed officials.

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