NZ government could cancel tour of Zimbabwe 23/02/2009 |
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New Zealand's government could stop the country's cricket team touring Zimbabwe later this year, Prime Minister John Key said on Monday.
New Zealand are scheduled to tour the strife-torn African country for three one-day internationals in July as part of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) future tours programme.
The centre-right National-led government, like the Labour-led administration it ousted last year, has said it does not favour the tour.
"I'm pretty reluctant for the Black Caps to travel," Key told Television New Zealand on Monday. "There are very real, genuine security risks for our players."
New Zealand Cricket could face an ICC-imposed fine if it opted against touring, unless ordered by the government, and Key said it was an option.
"Potentially, yes," Key said when asked if the government would step in to stop the tour. "There are some options that I am working through at the moment."
Zimbabwe has agreed to skip this year's Twenty20 World Cup in England to end a deadlock over demands for its suspension from international cricket because of Robert Mugabe's government.
Last month, the ICC said Zimbabwe needed more time before they could hope to return to test cricket.
The troubled African nation has not played tests since January 2006 after the side was left depleted following disputes between senior players and the administration.
(Source: Reuters)
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