Six men will take responsibility from this Sunday for deciding whether or not countries can refuse to fulfil World Cup fixtures because of security concerns.

If satisfied that a team has a reasonable case the International Cricket Council (ICC) technical committee can order that the four points for the match are shared.

Three judges from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya will comprise a final appeal body if the technical committee turns down a request.

On Friday, New Zealand pulled out of their World Cup fixture in Nairobi because of security fears over player safety.

England and Australian players have expressed concerns about playing their matches in Zimbabwe.

Following are the members of the technical committee:

Ali Bacher (South Africa). World Cup executive director and captain of the last team to play official test cricket during the apartheid era. Responsible for the tournament's format, including giving six games to Zimbabwe and two to Kenya.

Malcolm Speed (Australia). ICC chief executive. The ICC Has maintained that it is concerned solely with security and not political or moral issues.

Sunil Gavaskar (India). Chairman of the ICC cricket committee. Scored a world record 34 test centuries for India before pursuing a career in administration. The Asian countries support playing in Zimbabwe and Kenya.

Michael Holding (West Indies). The world's fastest bowler in the late 1970s and now a perceptive television commentator. A man of independent views, he announced he would not commentate on any West Indies matches after the selectors appointed Carl Hooper as captain.

Campbell Jamieson (Australia). ICC commercial manager. One of several Australians involved in the world governing body.

Brian Basson (South Africa). A former umpire who was involved in working out the World Cup schedule.