No watching football at the cricket in England - not on the big screens anyway.

Old Trafford officials have ruled out showing England's second round World Cup match at the ground during Sunday's third one-dayer against Australia.

There were precedents for showing the game.

In 2002 and 2006, World Cup matches involving England were broadcast on big screens.

But Lancashire officials have opted against putting on the clash against Germany which kicks off at 3pm local time in South Africa - right in the middle of the cricket game.

"It will not be possible for the England v Germany World Cup match to be screened in public areas at Old Trafford on Sunday due to safety reasons," a statement said from Lancashire county cricket club.

"Every option has been explored, including the installation of large screens, but due to a number of crowd-safety factors, in particular because of the 22,500 sell-out crowd, it is simply not possible for the football to be shown."

If England had topped their group at the World Cup, the clash of events would not have occurred as Fabio Capello's men would have played on Saturday.

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