The normal trend is for sportsmen not to not want to get involved in such issues Henry Olonga

"I think it's commendable. It's not often sportsmen are willing to take a strong position on political issues.

"Zimbabwe at the moment is a hot bed of controversy. I take my hat off to him," he told BBC Sport.

Olonga quit international cricket last year after staging a black armband protest against the Zimbabwe government during the World Cup.

And he has repeatedly urged teams to stay away from Zimbabwe in protest at the policies of the Mugabe regime.

Harmison is not the first cricketer to boycott a tour, with Australian spinner Stuart MacGIll having taken a similar stand earlier this year.

"It's unfortunate for the cricket community in Zimbabwe that they miss out on the opportunity to see these world-class stars, and Harmison is the in-form bowler for England at this point in time.

Harmison will stay behind when England head for Zimbabwe

"But there is a bigger picture which people in positions of power are just not willing to confront. They just don't seem to get the message.

"There have been enough sportsmen who have taken some kind of stance about what's going on in Zimbabwe. But people who really count, when it comes to decision-making about Zimbabwe, aren't following suit."

Harmison is the only player to have told the England and Wales Cricket Board he will not tour in November.

But Olonga refused to criticise those who decide to make the trip.

Most of the players will go. A second team would beat Zim anyway. No big deal. From Ronaldo Jeremy Have your say on TMS

"It's a pleasant surprise when someone like Harmison or MacGill says 'We don't agree with what's going on there'.

"I don't sit in judgment in any way over people who do go. If they want to focus on their career, that's fine.

"Most sportsmen don't want to get involved in those things and I don't have a problem with that," he added.