New Zealand Cricket under pressure to stop Zimbabwe tour

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April 16, 2005

New Zealand Cricket is coming under increasing domestic pressure to reject a touring trip to Zimbabwe. The International Cricket Council , however, has demanded of the New Zealand Cricket team, called the 'Black Caps', to keep the scheduled play in Zimbabwe where there is to be five-week tour later this year.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has condemned the tour stating, "Zimbabwe has just had a rigged election, which has produced a result which is simply unbelievable. I ... wouldn’t go near it." But she refused to ban the tour, placing the onus instead on New Zealand Cricket.

The ICC may fine New Zealand up to US$2 million dollars for not attending the tour. England cricket, though, just bought its way out of playing two test matches at a cost of $400,000.

In 1981 there were nationwide protests during the South African Springbok rugby tour. Several games were cancelled due to the protests.

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