British ministers have written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) asking for the country to be excluded.

But shadow culture, media and sport spokesperson May told the BBC the government should have acted last year - before England toured Zimbabwe.

"That was when a strong stance would have had a real impact," she said.

The British government came under fire last year for not stopping England's trip to Zimbabwe.

Ministers said they had not wanted the tour to go ahead but said the government could have been sued if it intervened.

For too long, (President Robert) Mugabe's regime has been able to use cricket as a means of gaining some sort of international acceptability Theresa May

But over the weekend it was revealed Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell have written jointly to the ICC urging the suspension of Zimbabwe because of widespread human rights abuses.

On Monday May said on BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "I welcome the fact that the government has at last asked the ICC to do something about this.

"But for too long, (President Robert) Mugabe's regime has been able to use cricket as a means of gaining some sort of international acceptability.

"Why didn't the government do it last year? That was the time when it was needed.

"We aren't going to tour Zimbabwe for another four years. Why is the government doing this now?

"This, from the government, is too little, too late. We have seen humanitarian atrocities going on month after month.

"I think the government has failed to put enough pressure on South Africa to take more action about Zimbabwe. They need to take a much stronger position."

New Zealand is in a similar position at the moment.

The Test team are currently touring the African country and a reciprocal tour is planned for later in the year but the New Zealand government may not grant visas to the Zimbabwe players.