Australia tour of Zimbabwe under review

Australia's tour of Zimbabwe is likely to go ahead only if the team's well-being is assured. "We won't tour unless we are satisfied that security and safety is guaranteed," said Peter Young, a spokesman for Cricket Australia. The statement comes after Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwe president, withdrew his country from the Commonwealth.

Australia are scheduled to play two Tests and three one-day internationals in Zimbabwe in May-June 2004.

Australia had earlier declined a trip to Zimbabwe in April 2002 after Mugabe was controversially re-elected. Mugabe has been chastised for his role in the persecution of the white minority and the rampant mass corruption in the country. This led to his being kept away from the recent Commonwealth meeting in Nigeria.

This news comes close on the heels of an announcement by the English board that they will be reviewing the situation in Zimbabwe in February before deciding whether to go ahead with their scheduled tour in October.