David Houghton has resigned as director of Zimbabwe's Cricket Academy, adding to the problems blighting the game in Zimbabwe. Houghton's decision is believed to have come as a result of the increasingly unstable political situation in Zimbabwe after last month's internationally discredited election victory by Robert Mugabe. Houghton was recently quoted in the Daily Telegraph as saying that he no longer considered Zimbabwe to be a safe place for white people. Australia called off their tour, which hsould have been going on at the moment, despite guarantees from the Zimbabwe Cricket Union that their safety was not at risk.

Vince Hogg, chief executive of the ZCU, admitted that Houghton's departure was a major blow. "He was instrumental in establishing the Cricket Academy four years ago," he told the BBC. "Considering the impact this has had on our development efforts, we owe him a huge debt of gratitude."

Houghton, Zimbabwe's captain in their first official Test in 1992-93 - he marked his country's debut with an innings of 141 - is expected to play club cricket in England as well as undertaking some media commitments. He has already done some commentary for Sky TV.

Eddo Brandes and Kevin Curran are being lined up to take charge of the academy until a permanent replacement is found.

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