Australia will go ahead with their tour of Zimbabwe next month in spite of Zimbabwe being thrown out of the Commonwealth for a year. Australian Cricket Board Chief Executive James Sutherland said that at the moment his organisation was satisfied that it was safe for the team to undertake the tour.

But Sutherland said the ACB would continue to monitor the situation in Zimbabwe as the safety of players and officials was the board's major concern.

"Sport is a powerful force for social cohesion," Sutherland said. "Abandoning the tour will only impact on the ordinary Zimbabweans who love cricket."

The Australians play seven one-day matches in South Africa, the last on April 9, before the Zimbabwe leg of their tour which involves three one-dayers and two Tests.

Prime Minister John Howard had earlier cast doubt on the tour and said talks were underway between the ACB and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

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

Australia's Test side will be chosen next week and the ACB has refuted a British newspaper report that captain Steve Waugh has already been axed.

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