Bid to halt ICC moving

The Government are being urged to take steps to ensure world cricket's governing body remains in Britain.

The International Cricket Council are considering relocating, possibly to Dubai, because of an apparent failure by the Government to meet a promise over tax concessions. The ICC are at present based at Lord's, from where world cricket has been run since 1909.

Shadow Sport Minister Hugh Robertson has written to Chancellor Gordon Brown over the matter.

"Britain has lost a number of international sports headquarters in recent years and it would be another severe blow to our reputation as a major sporting capital to lose cricket as well," Robertson said. "We agree with UK Sport that the Government should do everything possible to retain the ICC headquarters in London."

Robertson believes that the defection following that of rugby union and athletics would also be detrimental to London's 2012 Olympic bid. The ICC board are due to discuss their options in the next few days, and any move could be hurried through by April in line with the new tax year.