ICC gives NZ a release clause on Zimbabwe tour

The International Cricket Council ruled out cancelling New Zealand's tour to Zimbabwe next month but said it accepted the New Zealand government could stop it going ahead. The New Zealand government has opposed the tour because of alleged human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. But it has ruled out legislating a ban on the tour or directing New Zealand cricket to cancel it.

Ehsan Mani, the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman, has said in a letter that the ICC had rejected the New Zealand government's request to alter its tour schedule. However the letter conceded that the ICC recognised the reality that governments could apply sporting sanctions. "Our members accept and respect that where this clear directive is given by a national government, the obligations of the future tours programme will not apply."

A spokesman for New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff said clarification was being sought from the ICC on what would constitute a clear directive. "We want to clarify whether a parliamentary motion saying New Zealand Cricket should not tour would be sufficient to give New Zealand Cricket a release," the spokesman said.

Unless New Zealand cricket can win a release from its tour obligations, it faces a fine of at least US$2million and claims from Zimbabwe for lost revenue. Opposition to the tour has grown in New Zealand as Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's government presses ahead with a campaign to demolish shacks and other illegal homes and businesses, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

Zimbabwe's first black Test cricketer Henry Olonga arrived in New Zealand Tuesday to support the campaign to cancel the tour, saying the situation in his former country could be likened to apartheid in South Africa.