The Zimbabwe Cricket Union will not take any action against batsman Andy Flower over comments attributed to him about their racial quota policy for the national team.

Flower was quoted in Wisden Cricket Monthly magazine as describing the policy of having three non-white players in the side at all times as "crazy".

In the article, he also condemned a supposed proposal that Zimbabwe have a black captain for the 2003 World Cup as "disgusting", adding: "You pick the best man for the job, regardless of the colour of his skin."

Flower subsequently attended two meetings with ZCU officials, and insisted his comments had been taken out of context.

And a seven-point statement was issued on his behalf on Friday, setting out his views on racial integration in cricket.

The seven points are:

• He accepts there is a need to widen the base of players in the national team to include players of all races and Zimbabwe's Test cricket future hinges on the success of the policy
• He is aware ZCU policy is not about quotas but goals
• He understands there is no policy making it mandatory that Zimbabwe should have a black captain by World Cup 2003
• He would be happy to play for Zimbabe under any captain, regardlessof his colour
• He believes players should be picked on merit but accepts there are black players who meet that criteria
• He has played for club which predominantly Asian and black
• He believes in integration in all areas of Zimbabwe cricket

The ZCU has accepted Flower's assurances, but warned all players about the dangers of making "public pronouncements".

Flower, voted world Player of the Year in 2001, is Zimbabwe's leading batsman, with 4,552 Test runs, including 12 centuries.

He has twice captained the national team, but lost the job following the 2000 tour of England, when players threatened to strike over pay.