CRICKET: Zimbabwe's government has taken over the running of cricket in the southern African country, the website of the game's ruling body (ICC) said yesterday. The national team announced last month it would go on indefinite strike in protest at the way the national governing body was running the game in Zimbabwe, the latest in a series of rows between top players and officials.

The ICC website said the government had installed a new board to run the game and Zimbabwean officials said they were prepared for any repercussions, including the possibility of the country losing its Test status.

"The Zimbabwe government has finally taken over Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) in a shattering move that will almost certainly usher the ultimate demise of the game in the country," said the ICC website.