England delay tour decision

England's cricket bosses have decided they need more time before passing judgement on whether to tour Zimbabwe.

Having set themselves up to reach a verdict next Thursday, the England and Wales Cricket Board now want another month to "weigh up all the factors".

England's position would have been straightforward if the Government had ordered the autumn trip to be cancelled. Instead, a letter from the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw stops short of that demand, despite making it clear ministers are against the high-profile tour. It says: "I draw your attention to the appalling human rights situation in Zimbabwe."

The real decision on whether to cancel the tour on moral, as well as safety grounds, is likely to be made at the end of February.