Several journalists refused entry to Zimbabwe

The ECB is holding urgent talks with the authorities in Zimbabwe after a number of journalists were denied entry to Zimbabwe to cover England's forthcoming five-match one-day series, which is scheduled to start later this week.

The Zimbabwe government has denied entry to journalists from The Times, Daily Telegraph, The Sun and The Mirror, and their Sunday stable-mates, as well as the BBC. However, those from the Daily Express, the Daily Mail, The Independent and The Guardian, and agency reporters from the Press Association and Reuters, will be allowed in. Visa applications and requests for press accreditation were made through the cricket boards of both England and Zimbabwe two months ago.

Ehsan Mani, the president of the ICC, indicated that they only became aware of the decision late this afternoon, and it remained unclear on what basis it had been taken. Mani has been in talks with Peter Chingoka, the chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, and David Morgan, his counterpart at the ECB, and also the Zimbabwe High Commission in London.

"The ICC looks to get a clear understanding of what has taken place, and the reasons for it," Mani said. "At this time, until we have received clarification on this issue, it is difficult for us to comment further on what has happened today."

As far as Chingoka is concerned, it's nothing to do with his cricket board: "I have no say whatsoever in accreditation. Government officials are the ones who handle that. I have just passed on my information to the ECB and my dealings are with them."

Morgan, who is still in England before flying to Zimbabwe for the series, told BBC Radio Five Live that there was no way out of the tour: "The England cricket team is committed to appear in Zimbabwe for the future tours programme which is a regulation of the International Cricket Council. I expect the tour to proceed despite the unfortunate situation regarding media accreditation. It's unfortunate and embarrassing, and something that we will be pursuing on arrival there with the chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket."

Meanwhile, Andrew Walpole, the ECB's media relations manager, who is currently with the England side in Namibia, told Wisden Cricinfo: "This is an evolving situation and we're taking it hour by hour. We're currently holding urgent talks with the authorities in Zimbabwe, and it's too early to speculate on what the outcome of those talks will be."

England are scheduled to travel to Zimbabwe on Wednesday, and the first one-day international is set for Harare on Friday.