Australia's tour of Zimbabwe in doubt

Prime Minister John Howard said on Wednesday Australia's cricket tour of Zimbabwe was unlikely to go ahead following a Commonwealth committee's decision to suspend Zimbabwe for one year.

Howard said from London that talks were underway between the Australian Cricket Board and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

"There needs to be further discussion between the government and the Australian Cricket Board but there were always going to be some difficulties about that and this certainly hasn't made it easier," Howard told commercial radio.

ACB said from Johannesburg, where the side is playing a one-day series, a decision would be taken on Saturday or Monday. ACB is committed to three one-day matches and two Tests in Zimbabwe but the players have been concerned about safety.

Australia's one-day squad was to continue to Zimbabwe after seven matches in South Africa with a new Test side to be chosen next week.