Lamb criticises Government for exploiting 'soft option'

ECB chief executive passionate in defence of commitment to play in Zimbabwe while England aim to avoid Ashes whitewash

Tim Lamb, English cricket's leading official, was in strident form yesterday as he made a spirited defence of the national team's commitment to fulfil their World Cup fixture against Zimbabwe in Harare next month. The chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, in an untypically passionate performance at a press conference here, made an extraordinary but planned outburst as he rounded on politicians for using sport as a way of opposing Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe.

Insisting that the ECB would seek financial compensation from the Government that could easily reach more than £1m if England are forced to withdraw from the match, Lamb said: "What the politicians don't seem to appreciate is that there are some quite serious financial and contractual as well as cricketing ramifications of our not fulfilling our commitment to play our World Cup fixture. We might have to pay substantial compensation to the ICC [International Cricket Council] and their commercial partners.

"We're becoming increasingly frustrated that cricket seems to becoming seen as a soft target by politicians. If the regime is so morally repugnant – and I'm certainly not here as an apologist for the Zimbabwean regime, I know perfectly well what's happening there – why hasn't Britain cut off diplomatic relations? Why haven't sanctions – economic or sporting – been imposed?"

Lamb's comments were especially resonant because of his reputation as a cautious and temperate administrator who can put both sides of an argument without declaring an opinion or reaching a conclusion. But he is miffed, along with cricket officials worldwide, at what they see as Government interference without responsibility when more than 300 British companies are still trading with Zimbabwe. He is also calculating that the Government, which has no power to order the team to withdraw, will drop the matter.

"If the ECB finds it is in danger of suffering a financial loss as a result of breaking its contract or if there is any threat to our international programme next summer because of any retaliatory action by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union or the Zimbabwean government [Zimbabwe are due to tour England next summer] we want to make sure we are fully indemnified for going along with the Government's wish," he said.

Lamb, who will be attending the Fifth Test against Australia, which starts here tomorrow, was laying down his marker for his meeting with Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Baroness Amos, a Foreign Office Minister, when he returns next week.

Lamb said: "Why is cricket, which is a business and a multi-million dollar sporting event, regarded as an activity which has to make a gesture, which will be a sacrifice, with severe financial consequences for cricket internationally and domestically? It is almost as if to say... those jolly nice people in cricket, they will make a gesture to salve the consciences of politicians."