Cricket commentator Bryan Waddle is not surprised the Black Caps' tour of Zimbabwe scheduled for June has been called off, with the collapse of the country's health system being cited as a key factor.

New Zealand Cricket has pulled out of the one-day series, saying it is an unsuitable place to send the national team.

Mr Waddle says if any of the cricketers were injured or got sick on tour they would have to be moved across the border to South Africa for treatment. He says the players probably felt uncomfortable going to Zimbabwe for that reason.

Mr Waddle says unlike the situation in India, security concerns are not the prime concern, but information from various government sources and international agencies have suggested Zimbabwe is a place of concern. He believes there is an opportunity to play at a neutral venue as the top officials have been meeting to discuss the issue.

"Obviously the Zimbabwe regime wants to be able to play cricket in their own country but at the moment it doesn't seem feasible for sides to go there and have their safety guaranteed."

Mr Waddle believes the New Zealand Government would have been consulted on the decision and that various groups and agencies would also have had some input.