6. England Boycott Zimbabwe - South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe 2003
Concerns with security and political unease under the Mugabe regime saw England opt out of their group stages match with Zimbabwe in Harare. Co-hosting the tournament with South Africa, the African nations played their matches in their respective home countries; this resulted in a similar boycott by New Zealand ahead of a match versus Kenya. ECB CEO at the time, Tim Lamb, said:
"The ECB stance is, was and always has been that the safety and security of its players and officials is its primary concern. And the ECB feels the players would be in danger if compelled to play. Secondly the state of civil disorder in Zimbabwe dictates that the game should be relocated."
The game was never rearranged and Zimbabwe were awarded the points which ultimately resulted in them advancing to the Super Sixes stage of the tournament at the expense of England.
