The Board finally decided in September that the tour must go ahead - unless there was a government order to stay away or a risk to players' safety. The alternative, they argued, was a heavy fine or even suspension from international cricket.
Given the individual right to go or stay, fast bowler Steve Harmison pulled out of the trip on moral grounds while the selectors have taken the opportunity to rest Andrew Flintoff and Marcus Trescothick.
Left to coach Duncan Fletcher, Vaughan and Ashley Giles would have been excused duty as well.
But a less-than-full-strength squad to play a Zimbabwe side shorn of almost all its best white players following alleged (though unproven) racism is just one element of this trip.
Bevan's Professional Cricketers' Association have already made it clear "this will not be a normal tour," stressing that players won't be involved in "publicity activity, including official functions or the meeting of state dignitaries".
Chief executive Bevan and senior ECB official John Carr formed the delegation that checked out security issues in Zimbabwe last week and declared themselves content after meeting political, police and cricket representatives.
Crucially, the British Embassy in Harare also believed the tour would be "safe and secure, not only for the official party but also for travelling supporters and media, provided that their travel advice was strictly adhered to".
That advice will be updated and posted on the ECB's own website to keep fans abreast of any changes.
England could still pull out if the situation changes, right up to 24 November when they are due to leave their warm-up camp in Namibia and fly to Harare.
And Bevan warned that even once the tour begins "there will be an immediate review of the players' position if undertakings are breached".
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