England in Zimbabwe tour crisis

14 April 2012

England's cricket bosses are desperate for a strong lead from the Government before cancelling their tour of Zimbabwe.

They seem certain to give themselves full authority to pull out of the autumn trip on moral grounds when they meet at Lord's next week.

But unless England convince the rest of the cricket world that political and public pressure has had a significant bearing on their decision they could be left isolated - as well as facing claims for compensation from Zimbabwe.

"We are expecting the Government to make their view clear on the tour," said ECB chief executive Tim Lamb.

"The indications are that they're going to give us some fairly explicit advice in terms of what they feel about the tour. We have to wait for that but, needless to say, the advice and opinion of government is something we have to take seriously into consideration."

In other words: help us to make the decision you want and try to spare us from being dragged into another costly and chaotic mess like the one which followed our refusal to play a World Cup game in Harare a year ago on safety grounds.

Having unashamedly leaked the report of marketing chairman Des Wilson so it would create maximum impact, the ECB are now at pains to point out no decision has been made.

"England to call off 'immoral' Test tour" was the front page verdict of The Times following receipt of Wilson's 17-page report which, while never mentioning Zimbabwe by name, concluded: "The safety and security of a touring party can, in today's circumstances, no longer be the only factor in deciding whether or not to proceed with a controversial tour."

That report will be considered by the ECB's management board next Thursday.

But it will be much easier for members to use it as basis for cancelling the trip on moral grounds if Tony Blair's Government has spoken loudly and unequivocally about not playing cricket in a country accused of human rights and electoral abuses under the leadership of President Robert Mugabe.

"It's a difficult decision for them and therefore there should be a steer from the Government," said Lord MacLaurin, the former ECB boss who is now chairman of England's main sponsors, Vodafone.

"I sincerely hope the Government will advise the ECB accordingly."

The International Cricket Council has reiterated that tours should not be cancelled for any reason other than safety and security, and then only after all possibilities have been explored.

But there is a clear precedent of quietly accepting the inevitable when governments are involved, with India not having played in Pakistan for a number of years because of political pressure.

As this situation stands, though, England could be taken to the ICC's disputes resolution committee and ordered to pay Zimbabwe compensation if they cancel the tour for any reason other than safety.

Worse, they could find themselves isolated and facing a crisis if South Africa support neighbours Zimbabwe by withdrawing their invitation for England to tour later next winter.

The West Indies have recently visited Zimbabwe. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia are all due to go within the next few months and have made no noises yet about cancelling.

The British Government cannot order England to stay away. The closer they get to doing so, though, the easier life could be for Lamb and Co.

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England in Zimbabwe tour crisis

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