The government has gone on the record in its opposition to England's participation in a proposed World Cup cricket match in Zimbabwe.

Mike O'Brien said it would be wrong to go because of the "dire circumstances" in the country.

But the Foreign Office minister refused to order the team not to travel to Zimbabwe, insisting that the decision must remain in the hands of the cricket authorities.

But he hardened the government stance and refuted the claims of England captain Nasser Hussain who had said the decision should be made by politicians.

"In a democracy it is right that cricket be independent and not run by the government." he said. "The government cannot usurp the responsibilities of independent cricket authorities."

The England and Wales Cricket Board has claimed that ministers did not make the governemnt's stance clear to the sport's authorties.