London, May 05: British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today he doesn't think England's cricketers should tour Zimbabwe, but added that the decision rests exclusively on the shoulders of international cricket chiefs. "We would prefer them not to go," said Blair during his weekly question period in the house of commons.
But he added: "there is a difference between doing that and ordering them not to go which I think would step over the proper line."

He recalled that his foreign secretary Jack Straw would be meeting the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) tomorrow to discuss the dilemma.

He added: "I think many people believe, I think rightly, that the problem actually resides with the ICC."

The ECB believes that current British government advice vis a vis Zimbabwe - where president Robert Mugabe's regime stands accused of human rights abuses - justifies canceling the forthcoming winter tour.

But it faces a two million pound fine and a one-year suspension if they cancel the tour without the British government specifically telling them not to travel.

Bureau Report