By Scott Heinrich

Feelings of deja vu will be rife at the offices of the England and Wales Cricket Board as they mull over this year's tour of Zimbabwe. Not so long ago, they were here before.

The ECB has some crucial decisions to make in the coming week

English cricket emerged from last year's World Cup with its reputation damaged after months of deliberation culminated in a last-minute pull-out.

The ECB looked futilely for help from the government and the International Cricket Council, but in the end the onus fell upon Nasser Hussain to make the most important decision of his captaincy.

At least this time they know where they stand. And that, it has become painfully clear, is alone.

A report written by ECB chairman of corporate affairs Des Wilson will recommend England do not go to Zimbabwe on grounds of morality.

The penalties for pulling out of the World Cup were tangible; tournament points and monetary fines cost England dearly.

But what repercussions do England face if they again refuse to tour the southern African country?

For starters, the ICC is not in a position to penalise them as the tour is not organised by it, merely sanctioned.

What would South Africa and other national teams make of a boycott?

But it was quick to remind the ECB of the unanimous agreement of all members countries to ignore political concerns when contemplating a tour withdrawal.

"All Test playing countries, including England, have given a binding commitment to each other that political considerations would not be a factor when reviewing playing obligations," said president Ehsan Mani.

Zimbabwe may choose to take the course of legal action, but the gravity of the issue transcends finances.

After touring England last year on the proviso of reciprocation, Zimbabwe would not be alone in the cricketing world to condemn England for going back on their word.

England will look for understanding, but instead they could encounter a raft of negativity from not only Zimbabwe.

South Africa, England's destination after Zimbabwe, share close ties with Zimbabwe, both geographically and in cricketing terms. Their take on a boycott would be of great interest.

African snub

They may not look too kindly on a snub of African cricket, leaving the door open for a lockout. It sounds alarmist, but anything could be possible in this new world of morality.

As for the Champions Trophy in England in September, potential defectors would have the ICC to answer to as the tournament is held by it.

But no-shows on grounds other than safety and security are the last thing the ICC needs. It has steadfastly distanced itself from politics and would like things to stay that way.

The ICC's grip on cricket has been somewhat tenuous for some time, while the spectre of an Asian breakaway hangs menacingly overhead.

Togetherness is vital to the ICC's control of the game, but until it realises sport cannot be removed from politics time could show England's situation to be the tip of the iceberg.

It is hoped England learned something from the World Cup, and it seems they are determined to avoid the farcical events that marked that boycott.

All the signs point towards a more streetwise England accepting their predicament and calling off the tour on their own terms.

At the World Cup, the issue of safety was offered as a pretext to the moral reservations England had over playing in a country run by despotic president Robert Mugabe.

Australia, India and Pakistan all played in Zimbabwe at the tournament and all games went off without a hitch.