JOHANNESBURG, Feb 21: The South African cricketer who refused to tour Zimbabwe earlier this year will never again be chosen to play for his country, the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) announced on Friday.

Errol Stewart declared himself unavailable for the South African ‘A’ team tour of Zimbabwe in January, claiming he could not morally play cricket while the country was suffering so much violence and starvation.

A spokesman for the governing body said that Stewart was not being punished for his stance, but because he had not followed the correct procedures.

“He has still not discussed it with UCBSA chief executive Gerald Majola,” the spokesperson told the SAPA news agency.

“He did not inform the board of his decision, but went straight to the media.”

The Natal Witness reported on Friday that Majola had confirmed that the board had made a decision that Stewart should not be considered by the national selectors.—AFP