Matthew Maynard has defends the English Cricket Boards decision to play in the Zimbabwe World Cup next year.

The International Cricket Council gave the go-ahead for Zimbabwe to stage matches during the World Cup, despite safety concerns for both the players and supporters.

But the former Glamorgan captain, named in the England provisional 30-man squad for next year's tournament, believes the right decision has been made.

"The ICC have sanctioned the tour. It's safe and that was the paramount thing.

"I am not a politician, far from it. My opinion is do we stave the Zimbabwe people of cricket?

"There are a number of cricket lovers out there, so do we punish them as well?"

Many English MPs had called for a boycott because of the policies being pursued by President Robert Mugabe's government.