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By Bhavya Kumar Vasudevan

England is scheduled to tour Zimbabwe in November 2004, but due to the pressure of the English government, ECB (England and Wales cricket board) has almost made it certain that it will not go ahead with the tour. This has caused the ZCU (Zimbabwe cricket union) to raise its voice against the cancellation of this tour, to the ICC and other Test playing nations.

With one of the most politically affected tours currently going on between India and Pakistan, it is only correct for England to tour Zimbabwe. A couple of years ago when India was in no position to tour Pakistan, there was a comment made by the ECB that stated India's decision as a political and incorrect one. It was simply wrong on ECB's part to comment on the sensitive issue regarding India and Pakistan. Sport should not be mixed with politics were the statements coming out of England. Now they are at the receiving end, and India is making the ECB eat out their own words by giving full support to Zimbabwe.

The ICC has taken a strong stand on this issue and has asked the ECB to give an official reply regarding the tour of Zimbabwe. It has to be seen what the ICC decides to do if the ECB abides to the governments decision to abort the tour before it even begins. There are reports coming out of ICC that if England decides not to tour Zimbabwe, the ICC Champions trophy scheduled to be held in September in England, will be moved to India. ICC is planning to shift its base from London to some other city. According to ICC it is for financial reason, but one just gets the feeling that it might be related to this controversial tour.

England, the first country to play cricket will be facing some serious consequences if they do not tour Zimbabwe. As for the host nation, mostly all the Test playing nations are in their support. All they have to do is wait till England make their decision. The ball is in the court of ECB, and they will have to take an official decision very soon.  

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