Cape Town: England's cricketers seemed set for a further day of discussion about whether to play their controversial World Cup opener against Zimbabwe in Harare on February 13.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Tim Lamb said a decision was "unlikely" on Saturday.

On Friday, World Cup commissioner justice Albie Sachs of South Africa rejected England's appeal on safety grounds to relocate the match.

The ECB has no right of appeal against Sachs' decision and must now decide whether to play the match or boycott the fixture, so losing World Cup points and risking a heavy fine.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
It's a final 'no', England will now have to face reality
Zimbabwe turns flashlight on hospitality for the English