'This is a game of cricket, not politics'

In spite of the ban, the ECB has given assurances that the tour will not be abandoned, because to do so would risk harsh financial penalties under the ICC rules, which do not cover media accreditation. The Daily Telegraph was broadly sympathetic to the predicament. Their correspondent, Derek Pringle, told Sky Sports News: "I'm not sure the ECB can really do anything apart from pull out of the tour, and they don't really want to do that. But I think the ICC should really apply some pressure now. This is going too far."

The decision to refuse certain British media representatives entry to Zimbabwe was made on political grounds, according to reports from AFP. George Charamba, the secretary for the Zimbabwe government's Ministry of Information, told the agency: "Bona fide media organisations in the UK have been cleared, but those that are political have not. This is a game of cricket, not politics."

The banned organisations are the Daily Telegraph, The Sun, The Mirror, Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph, News of the World, BBC Radio and BBC Television. But representatives from The Guardian, The Independent, Daily Express, Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, the news agencies Reuters and the Press Association, and Getty Images, GQ magazine and ITN have been granted entry into Zimbabwe on Wednesday evening, according to The Guardian.

Robert Thomson, the editor of The Times, said: "It is clear that Mr Mugabe does not like objective reporting. If there was not anything to hide in Zimbabwe, the government would allow in The Times of London."

Michael Vaughan's reaction to the ban was widely quoted in the media. He said: "I think it's totally wrong and I'm flabbergasted by the decision. Whether you like the media or not, they have a huge role to play in the game. Through giving the game exposure and with TV rights they bring the game 60% of its income."

And Vaughan confirmed that England were unlikely to withdraw from the matches at this point. "I wouldn't pull out because of it [the media ban]," he said, "but I'm in contact with Richard Bevan, the Professional Cricketers' Association representative, asking for advice."

But the former England captain, Nasser Hussain, called for England's withdrawal from Zimbabwe. "How much can Michael Vaughan and the ECB take before they realise the tour shouldn't go ahead, not just on moral grounds but also for security grounds?" he asked on Sky Sports News. And an overwhelming 98% of people who phoned in to a poll on Radio 5 Live backed the suggestion that the tour should be scrapped. But Hussain was clear that the choice should not rest with the players. "The decision should be made above their heads."