The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed today that it would go to the final appeals procedure in a bid to have its World Cup opener against Zimbabwe in Harare switched to South Africa after the tournament's technical committee rejected such a move.
England's bid to have its February 13th World Cup match location changed was rejected by the tournament's technical committee earlier today.
England will appeal against the decision to two of the independent commissioners, Justice Albie Sachs of South Africa or Justice Richard Otieno Kwach of Kenya, sitting alone.
The third commissioner Justice Ahmed Ebrahim of Zimbabwe, a former International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee, will not be called upon because his country is involved in the dispute.
ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed has said matches can be moved as late as four days in advance of their scheduled date.
However, earlier today, Zimbabwe Cricket Union chief executive Vincent Hogg said they would refuse to play the match elsewhere.
"We believe we have every right to refuse to play any match rearranged in South Africa, and without penalty to ourselves," Hogg insisted.
In the event of a continued stalemate, the ICC would respect Zimbabwe's stance and, in that event, England would be docked World Cup points and fined.
The tournament sponsors could also submit a compensation claim against England for unilaterally causing the abandonment of one of the event's 54 matches.