Flower played 67 Tests for Zimbabwe

Essex and former Zimbabwe international Grant Flower is backing the England and Wales Cricket Board's decision to cut ties with his homeland.

"The infrastructure for cricket in Zimbabwe isn't good enough," he told BBC Radio Essex.

"Players turn up and pitches haven't been prepared, they have to scrounge around for stumps and wicketkeepers don't even have gloves."

Flower toured England with Zimbabwe in 2003 before joining Essex in 2005.

The ECB decided to follow South Africa's example and cut bilateral ties with Zimbabwe Cricket on Wednesday in response to the worsening political climate in the country.

The International Cricket Council will now discuss a worldwide ban of Zimbabwe at their meeting in Dubai on 2 July.

Flower believes a ban, which would rule Zimbabwe out of the World Twenty20 tournament in England next summer, is the right option.

"First-class cricket in the country just isn't up to standard," he added.

"It's sad the players won't be here because it's something they will look forward to but given the situation in the country I think to see them playing would be a farce."

Flower's brother Andy wore a black armband along with Henry Olonga while playing in the World Cup for Zimbabwe in 2003 in protest at the political situation in their homeland.

Grant almost followed suit: "We spoke about it at the time and I was tempted to wear an armband as well but we decided it would look better if just Andy and Henry did it."