It is being reported from the Caribbean that Zimbabwe have been forced out of the CLICO Under 15 International Championship after their team were denied British visas to travel to the region via London.

“Attempts at making alternative arrangements also proved futile and in light of the refusal by the British to grant the visas, Zimbabwe was forced to cancel its participation in the tournament,” the tournament organisers said. Zimbabwean umpire Tinaye Matare is also a doubt after being also refused a visa to enter London.

Malaysia, who failed to make the original eight teams, will now replace Zimbabwe in competition which runs from April 19 to May 4. They will meet hosts West Indies in the opening match.

The news, while hardly earth-shattering, could have more significant consequences as it emphasises the hardening of the stance of the UK government towards Zimbabwe and appears to make it increasingly unlikely that Peter Chingoka, ZC’s chairman, will be allowed to enter the UK to attend June’s ICC annual meeting. If that is the case then the ICC will move the event to Dubai.

So my facts were just fine at the time of posting. For the record, I’m in the UK, so I’m criticising my own country…