LONDON, April 11: England will tour Zimbabwe this October unless directed otherwise by the government or because of security fears, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman David Morgan said.

"The only way that I can see us not fulfilling the tour is either because of government directive or because of safety and security reasons," Morgan told The Independent on Sunday.

"Let me emphasise we don't see them as being issues at the moment." A report from ECB management board member Des Wilson this year said moral issues as well as security concerns should be taken into account when considering whether to go ahead with the Zimbabwe tour.

England, under then captain Nasser Hussain, refused to play in Zimbabwe during last year's World Cup because of security concerns. However, last month the International Cricket Council (ICC) warned England they faced suspension from international cricket and a $2 million fine if they failed to fulfil their tour obligations. -Reuters