But ICC president Ehsan Mani hit back within hours accusing Blair of seeking to "divert attention away from his own inaction" on the issue.

The England and Wales cricket board (ECB) has been in a political battle with the government and the ICC over the tour.

"We would prefer them not to go but there is a difference between doing that and ordering them not to go, which I think would step over the proper line," Blair told parliament.

"I think many people, however, believe rightly that the problem actually resides with the ICC," he said.

The ICC, the sport's governing body, said in March any country refusing to tour for anything but security reasons or governmental direction would face a minimum fine of $2 million and possible suspension from the international game.

Mani said of Blair: "It is disappointing but unsurprising that a politician should attempt to shift the blame in this way.

"Mr Blair is seeking to divert attention away from his own inaction in dealing with Zimbabwe by attempting to exert inappropriate pressure on an international sporting body to make a political decision."

SPECIAL CASE

He added: "It is difficult to accept the proposition that the ICC should be making a special case for England when not even the England and Wales Cricket Board has attempted to argue that it be exempted from its promise to tour Zimbabwe unless it is unsafe to do so.

"Unfortunately, the one consistent aspect of Mr Blair's approach to Zimbabwe has been its inconsistency.

"His government maintains diplomatic links with Zimbabwe, allows British companies to invest heavily in and trade openly with Zimbabwe, and welcomes athletes representing Zimbabwe to the UK."

Mani suggested: "Given that this issue has been on his radar for more than 18 months it appears that his intransigence on Zimbabwe is now linked in some way to his overwhelming desire to secure the Olympics for London."

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will meet ECB chiefs on Thursday but Blair indicated they would not get what they most want -- a government instruction not to tour, which would allow them to escape any ICC sanctions.

Zimbabwe cricket chiefs have consistently argued there is no sound reason to cancel. The England team refused to play there in the 2003 World Cup because of security concerns.

Leading England players like Graham Thorpe and Mark Butcher have already voiced their doubts about playing in Zimbabwe.

Australia bowler Stuart MacGill has made himself unavailable for the world champions' tour of Zimbabwe later this month because of moral concerns.