NZ PM opposes Zimbabwe tour
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who earlier in the week called for Zimbabwe to be expelled from the International Cricket Council (ICC), has said that she does not want a side from her country touring there next year.
New Zealand, who were the last but one side to undertake a Test tour of Zimbabwe in 2005, are due to return there in a year's time, but Clark made clear she was very against the idea, arguing Zimbabwe was not a fit country to be play cricket against.
The government stepped in to ban Zimbabwe from touring later in 2005 by refusing to grant their players visas, and it may well be that they will follow the lead given by John Howard who, when prime minister of Australia, who prevented a team from his country visiting Zimbabwe.
When they previously toured, New Zealand Cricket declined to follow advice not to make the trip and the NZ government stopped short of stepping in to prevent them travelling. However, the marked deterioration inside Zimbabwe in recent months could lead to players refusing to tour and in so doing leaving the board with no choice but to scrap the trip.
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