New Zealand Cricket canceled its June tour to Zimbabwe Monday but said it may play the matches later at a neutral venue. NZC Chief Executive Justin Vaughan said concerns over the stability of the African nation and the collapse of its health system led to the decision which was taken in consultation with the New Zealand government. “It was a decision made with the Government but we are looking at other options like playing the tour at a neutral venue, most likely South Africa,” Vaughan said. He said the matches might be played in June, 2011. Zimbabwe had raised few objections when informed of New Zealand's decision, he said. The series of three limited-overs internationals in Zimbabwe was originally scheduled for July last year but was postponed for 12 months. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key also expressed concerns for the team's safety. Key told reporters Monday he had not personally been involved in the New Zealand Cricket decision though there had been discussions with ministers. “The safety and security of the players were the major issues when we last looked at this,” Key said. “Our players could genuinely be at risk if they went there and that was a risk I was uncomfortable with 12 months ago. I certainly support the action NZC has taken today.” Naved renews Tasmania contract Pakistani paceman Rana Naved has renewed his contract with Australian state side Tasmania just days after being slapped with a one-year ban from international cricket by his country's board. “They have renewed my contract for the Big Bash Twenty20 competition as the ban on me only prevents me from playing for the national team,” Naved told Reuters. The ban bars Naved from playing for the national team but not in any other form of cricket and the 32-year-old said he was also in talks with English county Sussex to sign a contract with them for the coming season. Dilshan to play for NSW Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan is expected to play for New South Wales state in Australia's domestic Twenty20 cricket competition next season. “Tillakaratne Dilshan is an outstanding all-round player,” Cricket New South Wales chief executive David Gilbert said Monday. Dilshan, 33, was player of the tournament at last year's Twenty20 World Cup in England, scoring 317 runs at an average of 52.83. He briefly joined Northern Districts province this summer for New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 tournament. His signing for New South Wales requires the approval of the Sri Lankan board. Australia's six provincial first-class teams are allowed to recruit two foreign players for the domestic Twenty20 competition.
