PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC:

THE WEST Indies 'A' team's tour of Zimbabwe was thrown into doubt on Friday after the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) said it would not agree to the proposed move.

In a release, the players union said it had informed the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) that it could not agree to the tour because of concerns over players' safety.

WIPA reminded earlier this week that under the Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties, a tour could not go ahead unless there was agreement.

"WIPA is indeed sensitive to the obvious disappointment players selected (especially those who may have been chosen for the first time) would feel at the cancellation of the tour," Dinanath Ramnarine, WIPA's president and chief executive, said.

"However, we want to assure the board that we will give every consideration to a similar tour in more favourable circumstances."

Intensive discussions

WIPA said it reached its decision "following intensive discussions with various stakeholders and likely selectees who have unanimously expressed deep concern about players' safety and the continuing volatile situation existing in that country".

"While we at WIPA acknowledge the importance of the development of cricket, we are, nevertheless, firmly of the view that the safety of players in an unsettled environment is of paramount importance," the release continued.

The WICB had told CMC Sports earlier this week they had decided to proceed with the tour of Zimbabwe next month, after getting the backing from CARICOM Heads of Government.

A 14-man squad, to be led by middle-order batsman Sylvester Joseph, has already been picked to leave the Caribbean on June 30 for the one-month tour, which includes three four-day and two limited overs matches.