Harare: Zimbabwe's star batsman Andy Flower defied cricket authorities on Wednesday by protesting once more against President Robert Mugabe's government during the World Cup match against India.

Flower, who wore a black armband in the first match against Namibia last week and issued a strong statement condemning human rights abuses in his country, took the field against India wearing a black wrist band.

Fast bowler Henry Olonga, who had joined Flower in the extraordinary protest in the first match, was relegated to 12th man duties on Wednesday, but still wore a black wrist band similar to Flower's.

Both Flower and Olonga were reported to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union after the Namibia game, but the sport's governing body declined to take action and only asked the players not to wear the armbands.

There was no immediate response from the ICC on the latest action by the two players.

Almost half of Zimbabwe's 14 million people reportedly face food shortages and the leader of the main opposition party faces a death sentence after being accused of plotting to kill Mugabe.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
Zimbabwe sends India to bat; Nehra replaces Kumble