JOHANNESBURG, May 21: South Africa would be unwilling to play against a weakened Zimbabwe team next year, according to United Cricket Board president Ray Mali.

Mali said Friday's decision to postpone the two-Test series between Australia and Zimbabwe, scheduled to begin on Saturday, was "very much in line with our thinking".

He said the UCB would be making every effort to ensure the home series against their neighbours, set for February 2005, would be competitive. Zimbabwe's team has been decimated by a dispute between 15 rebel players, who walked out after Heath Streak was sacked as captain.

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) and Mali said the UCB would continue with their behind-the-scenes work in trying to help the ZCU resolve the issue. "But no cricket board can be held to ransom and the issue with the rebel players must be resolved quickly," Mali said. -Reuters