The International Cricket Council has hinted that they are looking at alternatives to New Zealand playing their controversial World Cup game in Kenya.

Tournament director Ali Bacher had told New Zealand they would forfeit the match if they refused to face Kenya in Nairobi on February 21.

But on Friday the game's ruling body admitted the prospects of the game going ahead were looking increasingly bleak.

And ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said in a statement that he would work to see if there was any prospect of the match being rescheduled if it could not go ahead.

"The issue of safety and security is clearly the main concern of both the ICC and New Zealand Cricket, and at present NZC is not satisfied that it is safe to play in Kenya," said Speed.

"The ICC Cricket World Cup Organising Committee and the ICC will make available our intelligence and security advisers, to provide a detailed briefing on the advice that we have received in relation to this game.

"There are also independent processes available to the NZC through which it can seek a review of the ICC's judgement and decision.

"New Zealand Cricket is entitled to seek this review in light of any concerns it may hold and it is appropriate that the ICC's decisions are thoroughly scrutinised in this way."

The ICC has contingency plans in place should security issues put any World Cup fixtures in doubt.

And this is the clearest sign yet that it is willing to soften its initial stance and consider New Zealand's request to have the game against Kenya switched to South Africa.

The possible options include asking an independent ICC committee of up to five members to hear the dispute or arbitration through the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

And on Sunday responsibility for the tournament passes from the ICC's executive board to the six-man World Cup event technical committee, which could still decide to move the match.

If they are not satisfied with any decision, New Zealand could then appeal to one of three independent commissioners sitting alone.