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JOHANNESBURG, Friday (Reuters) - The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected New Zealand's request to switch their World Cup Group B match against Kenya and awarded the points to the home team on Thursday.

The ICC executive board refused to reschedule Friday's game from Nairobi to South Africa, ruling that the venue was safe despite New Zealand's security concerns.

"I am happy that the matter is now resolved and that the ICC Cricket World Cup can move forward," ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said in a statement.

"At the same time, we have already seen some fantastic matches in this tournament and I am disappointed that this match will not be taking place."

New Zealand's fears were fuelled by a bombing in Mombasa in November which killed 16 people, but their request to move the match to an alternative venue was opposed by the Kenya Cricket Association (KCA).

They have already warned they could appeal to the Court of Arbitration in Lausanne, and are well aware that the match forfeit could prevent their team from progressing to the Super Six stage of the tournament.

Sri Lanka top the Group B standings with 12 points, while New Zealand are second on eight, having won two of their first three games.

New Zealand can now only hope for a maximum of 16 points by the end of the group phase, leaving them open to being passed by West Indies or South Africa.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) made their request to the ICC for the match to be moved on Saturday, the same day England were forced to forfeit a Group A game against Zimbabwe after tournament officials rejected their security concerns over playing in Harare.

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