Zimbabwe bans cricket journalists

The BBC's Jonathan Agnew is among those refused entry

The BBC and a number of national newspapers have been denied entry to Zimbabwe to cover England's forthcoming cricket tour of one-day internationals.

However, England and Wales Cricket Board chairman David Morgan told the BBC the tour would still go ahead.

A five-match one-day series is due to start on Friday - England travel to Harare from Namibia on Wednesday.

"I expect the tour to proceed despite the unfortunate situation regarding media accreditation," said Morgan.

"It's unfortunate and embarrassing and something that we will be pursuing on arrival there with the chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket."

The players could very easily, and with justification, take the matters into their own hands. Jonathan Agnew Read more

The Zimbabwe government has denied 13 of 36 applications, including those from the Times, Telegraph, Sun, Mirror and their Sunday versions.

The others, including Daily Express, the Daily Mail, the Independent and the Guardian and agency reporters from Reuters and the Press Association will all be allowed access.

Speaking to BBC Five Live, Morgan added: "The England cricket team is committed to appear in Zimbabwe for the future tours programme which is a regulation of the International Cricket Council."

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Peter Chingoka, chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket said: "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."

Press and media visa applications had been made through the two countries' cricket boards two months ago.

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The International Cricket Council says it is seeking urgent clarification from the Zimbabwe government on the grounds for the decision.

The issue of the accreditation for journalists has been discussed by the ICC executive board twice this year.

"All countries recognised that the media regulations of the Zimbabwean government are different to those imposed in other cricketing countries," said ICC president Ehsan Mani.

"[They] accepted the undertaking of Zimbabwe Cricket that it would do everything possible to work with each country to assist cricket journalists seeking accreditation."