UK Culture Sec to review Zimbabwe tour

UNITED Kingdom's Culture Secretary Andy Burnham says he will review whether England should welcome Zimbabwe on tour in 2009.

There are currently two Tests and three one-day matches scheduled against Zimbabwe next year but the tour is in doubt given the continuing international criticism directed at controversial Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe.

Speaking to the BBC, Burnham said: "It is impossible to separate what has been happening in that country from sport.

"I want to talk to foreign secretary David Miliband about Zimbabwe."

Burnham revealed he also plans to talk to the International Cricket Council and ECB officials before he finalises "a government view".

England are also due to host the 2009 World Twenty20 competition which Zimbabwe are currently set to participate in, with the ICC recently confirming that it is a 'condition' that when hosting an ICC event 'all member teams must be allowed to play'.

Under previous Prime Minister Tony Blair, the government was not prepared to ban England from playing Zimbabwe at home or abroad but it appears current leader Gordon Brown wants to take a tougher stance.

He looks set to follow the lead set by Australia and New Zealand - The New Zealand government denied the touring Zimbabwe party visas to enter the country in 2005 and Australia last year refused to tour after a ruling by the then PM John Howard.