ECB delays Zimbabwe decision

The ECB will delay the decision on whether to tour Zimbabwe next year until the end of February.

England are scheduled to tour there in October 2004, but Des Wilson, the ECB's marketing chairman, insisted the board would take its time before making any decisions. He said in a statement: "We are determined that any decision with respect to our tour is taken by ourselves for the right reasons and at the right time."

Robert Mugabe's recent decision to withdraw Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth raised more fears about the country's safety, and England have already come under pressure to cancel the tour.

But the ECB, which met this morning for its scheduled monthly meeting, will review the situation on February 25 next year.

England faced a similar situation in the 2003 World Cup when they pulled out of their group match against Zimbabwe at the last minute over safety concerns.