LONDON. Oct 9 : A dcclsibn by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on whether lo Include South Africa in next year's World Cup has been delayed. reports Reuter.

ICC chairman Colin Cowdrey was due lo announce the verdict on Friday, but plans for a press conference were postponed on Thursday following what ICC secretary John Stephenson described as "a new turn of events."

Stephenson refused lo go into details, but one reason for the delay may be that one or more countries are concerned at a decision being made without holding a vote.

Joint hosts Australia and New Zealand bclfeve South Africa, who were readmitted lo the ICC last July following the removal of the Republic's apartheid laws, can be accommodated without extending the five-week Cup programme In February and March.

But India said on Tuesday they were loath to back South Africa's late inclusion and both the West Indian and Pakistani cricket authorities have voted against South Africa taking part, although West Indies have Indicated they arould not block their Inclusion.

The South African plea for inclusion Is backed by the African National Congress (ANC) leader. Nelson Mandela.