CRICKET'S embattled World Cup was threatened with total chaos after the discovery of a truck bomb in Colombo was swiftly followed by reports of a civilian massacre in the north of Sri Lanka.

The incidents coming on top of a suicide bombing in Colombo which killed around 85 people on January 31st could prompt Zimbabwe and Kenya to join Australia and the West Indies in boycotting matches in the country.

That would leave the tournament schedule in ruins and further deepen the resentment between the non travelling teams and the organisers, who have threatened to make multi million dollar claims for damages.

The truck bomb, packed with explosives weighing 266lb, was found by military police parked a mile from the Premadasa stadium, where both Richie Richardson and Mark Taylor's men were due to play.

Zimbabwe and Kenyan officials were not available for comment but speculation was rising that Zimbabwe in particular, due to play Sri Lanka in the capital on February 21st, could be forced into a rethink.

Zimbabwean team manager Denis Streak had originally said the side would play at the venue, arguing "We've come from what used to be a war torn country ... We don't see it as a major problem." But he later admitted several team members were worried about the decision.

Kenya, meanwhile, are due to play the co hosts in Kandy on March 6th.

If either of the sides refused to play those matches, Sri Lanka already gifted four points following the Australian and West Indian forfeits would be guaranteed a place in the quarter finals without facing a ball. That would make a nonsense of the entire competition.