The ACB (Australian Cricket Board) and ZCU (Zimbabwe Cricket Union) had discussed playing the tour on neutral soil, probably in South Africa, where The Aussies are at the moment. The actual Zimbabwe team though wanted to play on home soil, so that idea was scrapped.

Tensions have been high in Zimbabwe for a while now and with the safety of players and officials top priority, The ACB had no other alternative.

All this is of course great news for Essex, as it looks that Andy Flower should now be able to join the squad for the start of the season. Had the tour taken place, Flower would have missed all the Benson & Hedges Cup Zonal matches, the home Championship match with Gloucestershire and possibly the Championship match at Trent Bridge and with Stuart Law not with Essex this year, missing Flower would take away a lot of batting, but as now it looks as if he'll be here on time, Essex look strong.

Also, our fellow Division 2 Championship rivals this season Worcestershire have been able to have their overseas player, Aussie Andy Bichel, available now for the whole season after he was due to be on the tour, so hopefully Flower will be able to get the same clearance from his country.

Flower, who has a Test average of over 50, will still leave in early September to take part (as will many England players) in The ICC Knockout Competition, but hopefully by then, he would have stamped his place in County Cricket, at the age of 33.

On another note of Flower, in Zimbabwe's recent 3-2 defeat to India in their one-day series, young keeper Tatenda Taibu kept wicket instead of Flower, who was in the outfield. It looks likely then that when him and James Foster are both in the same team that Fossy will perform stump duties, with Flower concentrating on his batting.

When I have definate news of the above, I will let you know on the messageboard.

To hear what Essex CCC Chief Executive David East had to say about the signing of Andy Flower back in November when he signed, click here. You will need RealPlayer to listen to the clip. If you want a free version of RealPlayer, click here.

Date: 28/3/02