BLACKCAPS tour to Zimbabwe postponed

The BLACKCAPS cricket tour to Zimbabwe, scheduled for July this year, has been postponed to June 2010.

The arrangement was made between New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive Justin Vaughan and Zimbabwe Cricket at an ICC meeting today in Johannesburg.

Vaughan said Zimbabwe Cricket was aware of the New Zealand government's opposition to the proposed tour and asked for the deferral. They believed by 2010 the current political powersharing arrangements will have had a positive impact on their country.

“This is a pragmatic solution that allows the situation in Zimbabwe to be monitored over the next year,” said Vaughan.

“Given that Zimbabwe remains a full member of ICC we have continuing obligations to play them on a reciprocal basis - therefore this agreement is an acceptable outcome for the present time”.

No decision has yet been made on whether a replacement tour will be sought for July this year, Vaughan said.

The proposed Zimbabwe series is scheduled to comprise three one day internationals.