Australian cricket officials said on Tuesday their national team remained committed to fulfilling a May tour of Zimbabwe and would only abandon the programme if the safety and security of players was in doubt.
Cricket Australia (CA) operations general manager Michael Brown said he and two colleagues had met Zimbabwe government officials, senior police, cricket executives and Australia's ambassador to Harare on the first of a two-day inspection mission ahead of the May tour.
"We're only halfway through our visit...if the standard that we've seen today is maintained, I see no reason why we wouldn't be looking forward to coming," Brown told journalists in the Zimbabwe capital. "We think it is important that we fulfill our obligation."
Australia cancelled a tour of Zimbabwe in 2002 because of security concerns, but went ahead with their World Cup Match in Bulawayo last year without incident.
"Our primary focus is on the safety and security of our players... Police have given us every assurance that the safety and security of players and spectators will be maintained at all times," Brown said.
England, whose government are fierce critics of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe alongside fellow Commonwealth members Australia, pulled out of a World Cup match in Harare last year citing security concerns.
The England Cricket Board have delayed a decision on whether to tour in October until after meeting the governing International Cricket Council later this month.
On Tuesday Brown said England's stance on Zimbabwe would not influence the Australian team.
"The only decisions that will affect what the Australian cricket team does will be based on issues surrounding the Australian Cricket team... We are not experts in politics. We're here to play cricket," he said.
The Commonwealth group of mostly former British colonies suspended Zimbabwe from the organisation in 2002, saying Mugabe had rigged his re-election and harassed opponents.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said in January he would leave the decision to Cricket Australia, despite the government's strong view the tour should be cancelled.
