Australian government 'appalled' at Zimbabwe situation

Alexander Downer: 'It's a matter for the cricketers themselves to make their own judgment' © Getty Images

Alexander Downer, Australia's foreign minister, has ruled out any federal government intervention in Australia's upcoming cricket tour of Zimbabwe. But he said he understood Stuart MacGill's decision, on moral grounds, not to tour next month.

MacGill told the selectors before they chose the touring Test and one-day squads he did not believe he could tour Zimbabwe with a clear conscience. Fifteen white players have refused to play after a two-week dispute that escalated when former captain Heath Streak queried the experience of the selection panel. Streak's comments came against a backdrop of claims the teams was chosen on the basis of race rather than talent.

Downer said he and the government were "appalled" at the situation in Zimbabwe under the rule of Robert Mugabe. He also deplored any race-based selection criteria in sport but ruled out the government stopping the tour.

"That's not a matter for the Australian government," he explained. "It's a matter for the cricketers themselves to make their own judgment. In the case of Stuart MacGill, he obviously has concerns about the appalling record of Mugabe, has concerns about the controversy within Zimbabwe cricket and the allegations about choosing a team on the basis of race. I can understand his position."

Downer added that his government would continue to put pressure on the Zimbabwe government and Zimbabwe Cricket Union "to do the right thing" over cricket selection.

He said he met the Australian board yesterday to discuss the allegations over the Zimbabwean team, but explained that Cricket Australia had contractual obligations to tour Zimbabwe. "For them just to cancel tours can impose enormous financial penalties in Australian cricket, he said. "I think, nevertheless, if the Zimbabweans are going to persist in choosing cricket teams on the basis of the race of the players then that's a matter the International Cricket Council should focus on."

"A national team should not be chosen on the basis of people's race or political views, their ethnicity. It should be chosen on the basis of merit."

Australia are due to visit Zimbabwe from May 13 to June 13 to play two Tests and three one-day international matches.