The Chief Executive of the England & Wales Cricket Board, Tim Lamb, has said he is convinced that England's tour of Zimbabwe will go ahead, despite the political situation in the African country.

Lamb said: "Cricketing considerations and safety of the players have been assessed. There is no justification for cancelling the tour.

"We are considering alternative venues but the streets of Bulawayo and Harare are safe, so the tour will go ahead.

"I think it would be used more as a political tool if we cancelled the tour. Cancelling the tour will adversely affect not the government of Zimbabwe but the cricketing community in Zimbabwe.

"The only criteria we're taking into consideration at this stage are cricketing ones and the safety of the players. If we get political advice that the safety of our players is in danger then we will reconsider.

"We don't believe it is our position as sporting administrators to make moral judgements about political situations.

"We have confidence in the procedures put in place by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union. We are happy with the arrangements they are proposing to put in place."

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