Greg Chappell favours exiling Zimbabwe

Greg Chappell, the former Australian captain, says that the cricket authorities should consider exiling Zimbabwe from the international game in the same way that South Africa was boycotted during the 1970s and '80s.

"The international sporting community took a stand against South Africa," said Chappell, "and I can't see a difference between what happened there years ago and what's happening in Zimbabwe now."

In making his comments, Chappell becomes one of a small handful of former Australian Test players to have publicly expressed reservations about the two-Test tour by Ricky Ponting's side, which begins today.

Chappell said the banning of matches against South Africa in response to their apartheid policies had "impacted on the reforms that eventually happened in that country". A similar ban against Zimbabwe, he told News Limited, might also be in cricket's best interests.

"The situation in Zimbabwe - and to a lesser extent Bangladesh, who received full membership before they were ready - is causing harm to the game," said Chappell. "The long-term effects won't be known until it's too late. The issues must be seriously debated."

Chappell concluded: "The situation in Zimbabwe is in danger of destroying cricket in that country and having a ripple effect around the world. There is a real concern around the cricket community at the moment at the state of the game."

The Australian team arrived in Zimbabwe last night. Their principal concern, it seemed, was complacency. "I think there's a danger in all of the talk that they [Zimbabwe] are a weak side and we are going to finish off the games early and players are going to fuel their statistics," remarked John Buchanan, Australia's coach, as the players flew out. "I think if any side goes on tour with that state of mind they are vulnerable."