I'm with you on this CJD: I have never liked sporting boycotts.. and am not sure there has ever been one that's justified. It's sentimental tokenism, the worst kind of meaningless gesture politics, papering over gross failures on the part of those whose job it is to deal with these matters.

It might be different if Zimbabwe were the subject of damn-near world-wide pressure, on the front pages day-in and day-out and on the brink of change... but it ain't: there's little evidence that Zimbabwe is that much worse a place to maintain ties with than 8-10 other places like Azerbaijan (haven't we got a big football match there sometime soon), Pakistan (where we're almost certain to tour before long) and Sri Lanka (just been).

Personally I'd like to see a 'B' team tour: make Hick captain... and select from politically motivated volunteers to fill the rest of the team. Richard is right - the publicity would be good.