The nightmare prospect of Zimbabwe playing cricket in England next summer receded today with the sport's governing body finally agreeing to consider a suspension of relations with a country ever more brutally ruled by Robert Mugabe.

David Morgan, the International Cricket Council's president-elect, was at The Oval this morning, helping to launch a Twenty20 World Cup which is to be contested here next June by 12 teams, including Zimbabwe.

But the former English Cricket Board chairman, who was in charge at Lord's in 2004 when England were widely criticised for touring Zimbabwe, revealed that he and his ICC colleagues will discuss events in the country during next week's annual meeting in Dubai.

Significantly, the move has been prompted by South Africa's decision to sever ties with Zimbabwe cricket. This immediately prompted ICC president and former SA Cricket boss Ray Mali to insist on changing the Dubai agenda.

Morgan refused to reveal what his position will be but left no one in any doubt what he believes should happens when the 13 key representatives of world cricket get together tomorrow week.

He said: "I have the greatest sympathy with the people of Zimbabwe, and the cricketers of Zimbabwe, and I find it appaling that there are not free, open and fair elections in the country.

"I'm not going to make public today the stance I'm going to take at the meeting but suffice to say I'm encouraged that the matter is on the agenda."

South African cricket officials have been the staunchest supporters of their Zimbabwean counterparts. But now they have voiced their disgust at Mugabe's actions other, previously sympathetic countries, like India, could follow suit.

"I think that CSA's decision is hugely significant," said Morgan. "Clearly, they will want something done [but] quite where the other members, the 13 directors, will stand on it I don't know." If Zimbabwe are suspended from the ICC then any possibility of them touring England for Tests and one-day internationals early next summer will be at an end. And, so far as the Twenty20 World Cup is concerned, a third team from the associate member countries will fill the gap.

England recruited South African Steve Elworthy, who masterminded last year's highly successful event in his home country, to plan their tournament and the outcome is for a series of "double headers" at The Oval, Lord's and Trent Bridge which will allow spectators to watch two games in eight hours for as little as £30 in some cases.

As for England's chances of winning their first global event for more than 30 years, the odds should be generous because their second-phase opponents are likely to be holders India, probable favourites Australia and South Africa.

"This competition is going to be massive," predicted Kevin Pietersen. "Twenty20 is getting bigger and bigger, and this could be the biggest of them all."