Zimbabwe could pull out of next summer's tour of England, if Nasser Hussain's side refuse to travel there for the 2003 World Cup.
Zimbabwe are due to play all six of their World Cup ties at home next February, including games against Australia and England.
But the International Cricket Council has voiced concerns over the growing political crisis in the country and raised doubts as to whether the matches planned for Harare and Bulawayo can take place. .
The sponsorship issue involving players and administrators is not yet over despite the participation of the best teams in the Champions Trophy here, the world's cricket chief said on Wednesday.
"We're delighted that all the countries have sent their best teams here but more work has to be done regarding the World Cup (in South Africa next year), particularly with the players," said International Cricket Council (ICC) president Malcolm Gray.
Gray said he was pleased with the solution that resulted in the participation of a full-strength Indian squad for the 12-nation limited-overs tournament, starting here on Thursday.
The International Cricket Council will send a team of investigators to Zimbabwe later this year to decide whether it is safe to play World Cup matches there.
The team will travel to Zimbabwe in November or early December and will talk to a cross section of people and government officials.
"Security of players is one of our main concerns at any tournament," ICC's chief executive Malcolm Speed said.
Pakistan are due to play a Test series in Zimbabwe at the same time - the only tour currently scheduled for the country.
Graham Thorpe marked his return to cricket with a failure - on a day Surrey chairman Mike Soper heaped upon him the highest of praise.
Thorpe, playing his first game for two months, made just 19 as the newly crowned champions finished day one against relegated Hampshire on 348 for seven.
"I think he's the best left-hander in the world," Soper said of Thorpe, whose marital problems have come before cricket this summer.