Australia's tour of Zimbabwe is in the balance after the government urged the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) to cancel it. ACB members have planned further talks on Wednesday amid speculation that the tour, which is scheduled to start on April 11, could be cancelled because of security concerns.

Brendan McClements, an ACB spokesman, said that the four-week tour was still scheduled to go ahead as planned, but the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs have both said they are concerned for the safety of the Australian players.

McClements denied reports in The Australian newspaper that the tour could be called off as early as Wednesday owing to fears of violence following Robert Mugabe's win in the presidential election earlier this month. But he said the decision was being reviewed daily.

Australia's foreign minister Alexander Downer has warned that the players are at risk of danger because prime minister John Howard had played a leading role in suspending Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth following claims of vote-rigging in Mugabe's re-election.

A spokesman for Downer said: "His view is that it would perhaps send the wrong kind of message at this time if the tour were to go ahead, but he acknowledges that it's a matter for the ACB to reflect on and make their own decision."

ACA chief executive Tim May said the association would be guided by the experts advising the ACB, but confirmed that some players had fears about their wellbeing.

"They're understandably concerned about their safety but they have confidence the ACB will decide on the best possible course of action," May told reporters. "Based on the advice that has been given out by the Department of Foreign Affairs at the moment is that all Australians should avoid travelling to Zimbabwe as tourists or for business, and we don't see why cricket should be any different."

Ricky Ponting, Australia's one-day captain, has expressed concerns about security, but has said the players will trust the ACB's judgment.

Zimbabwe Cricket Union officials, meanwhile, have urged the Australian team to tour and guaranteed their safety.

South African venues have been mooted as neutral back-ups should Australia refuse to play the two scheduled Tests and three one-day matches in Zimbabwe. But the South African Board has already ruled out hosting the matches.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd