Aussies to have safety checked

Australia will tour Zimbabwe as scheduled in May subject to a safety and security inspection early next year, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Wednesday.

CA spokesman Peter Young said Australia had previously declined to play in Sri Lanka and Pakistan for security reasons and would do the same for Zimbabwe if necessary.

"Our tour dates are still a long way off. We obviously take an interest in what is happening in all cricket countries where we tour," Young said.

"We won't tour unless we are satisfied security and safety is guaranteed."

Young said the inspection party would include an Australian Cricketers' Association representative and was standard procedure for all tours by the Australian team.

Australia are scheduled to play two Tests and three one-day internationals in Zimbabwe in May and June.