Call off all Zimbabwe tours says Hussain.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has called for all tours to Zimbabwe to be called off.

Australia's recent Test series in Zimbabwe was postponed due to the ongoing cricketing crisis in the country which has severely weakened the national side.

Yet it was decided that the two countries' one-day series should go ahead, something Hussain believes has not helped resolve a problem which has run ( in one form or another ( for almost two years.

Hussain kept his own counsel last year as England boycotted a World Cup match in Harare but, now retired, has decided to speak out. Hussain, who will now take up a role in the media, said: "One of the great things about crossing to the other side is that now I can actually start saying what I actually think.

"I don't see how any side can play in Zimbabwe. I don't see how the ICC can continue with this pretence that Test cricket is different to one-day cricket.

"I just don't see how any side could possibly go and play cricket there for a multitude of reasons, whether they be moral or just because of not playing against the best side."

The row over whether England should have played in the World Cup in Zimbabwe completely dominated the build-up to the tournament and wore down the likes of Hussain, then captain.

Since then the Zimbabwe issue has continued to overshadow English cricket with a decision over this autumn's tour still to be made.

Hussain added: "The whole Zimbabwe thing was a low for world cricket. I viewed the whole thing about the Zimbabwe issue as a complete schemozzle and one I don't think should be repeated.

"The way the ICC handled that situation (World Cup) was disappointing and their attitude since then has been very poor."