The England cricket team has refused to travel to Harare to play their World Cup league match against Zimbabwe on February 13, the BBC reported on Monday.

Observers said the refusal to tour could spark tit-for-tat boycotts which could tear the international game apart.

Earlier on Monday, South Africa's United Cricket Board president told a news conference England could be hit by a counter-boycott later this year by both Zimbabwe and South Africa if they refuse to play Thursday's fixture in Harare.

"We are a few days' away from a game in which we have committed finances and effort to stage -- we still don't have an answer," he said.

Asked if South Africa could join Zimbabwe in considering a tit-for-tat boycott, Sonn said: "It may become serious.

"Relationships are built on trust. If you start believing that trust is not there then you re-examine the relationship."

The England team has expressed concern over the social and political unrest in Zimbabwe.