English cricket should be paid compensation if the government forces a boycott of the controversial World Cup match in Zimbabwe, county bosses believe.

According to a survey by BBC Radio Five Live, some county chief executives and directors even fear clubs will go under if compensation is not paid.

However, just more than a third say England should not play in Harare on 13 February, even without compensation.

Officials from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are to meet ministers at 0900GMT on Thursday to discuss the government's call for an England boycott.

We are a business and there are 300 British businesses trading with Zimbabwe Dennis Amiss Warwicks chief exec

England could forfeit two points in the World Cup and face a �1m fine unless they are able to prove safety issues are behind any refusal to play.

There is also the possibility of Zimbabwe pulling out of a tour next year, which would cause an estimated further loss of �9m in income.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said the government had no powers to enforce a boycott, although he urged the side not to make the trip.

BBC Five Live's Breakfast programme spoke to bosses at 17 of the 18 county clubs in England and Wales.

Out of the 17 who replied - on the basis of anonymity - 15 called for government compensation if the game does not go ahead.

One chief executive said: "This will have a deep impact on English cricket. It could be like ITV Digital was for football. It's a complete mess."

Another said: "It will hit small clubs first, but also junior and recreational cricket. It's likely to cost �70,000 per club, which could break some clubs."

Warwickshire chief executive Dennis Amiss, one of the ECB management board ,who will take the final decision, told the Press Association cricket was being unfairly singled out.

"Unless we are told that we cannot go, the feeling is that we should go there and play cricket," Amiss added.

"Unfortunately, cricket seems to be a soft touch but we are a business and there are 300 British businesses trading with Zimbabwe.

"There is no sporting boycott and at the moment the ECB have made the decision to support the ICC."

England have already made contingency plans in case Zimbabwe are unable to tour, with Pakistan favourites to play two Tests in their place.

The full results of the Five Live survey will be released during Thursday's Breakfast programme.