It is a subject placed on the agenda by the governing body's outgoing president Ray Mali, a man whose leadership has often been notable by his absence. His successor, David Morgan, is less circumspect on the matter. As he noted, a year ago, the ICC's board declared that it should not let domestic distractions impact on its daily business. Now however, says Morgan, "for matters to move forward there will have to be a change in that regard".

Ryan Watson concurs. The Scotland captain has a huge personal insight into the dilemmas ahead, having been born in Harare before joining the exodus from the Mugabe regime, first to neighbouring South Africa, and then to his adopted nation. "Personally," he says. "I hope they do take a stance against Zimbabwe." Despite the wide revulsion against the events which accompanied last week's elections, it remains uncertain whether that will occur.

The head of Cricket Zimbabwe, Peter Chingoka, has written to all those with a vote, imploring them not to cut ties. Seven of the other nine Full Members must elect to act but it will be India, the game's powerbroker, who will make or break any deal. All signs are that they will not back sanctions, throwing the sport into chaos.

Individual players, like Andrew Strauss, have declared they will boycott any matches with Africa's pariah state. The ECB, backed by the government, has indicated they will not permit Zimbabwean cricketers to tour the UK next year. That, in turn, would either exclude them from the World Twenty/20 or force the ICC to find another country willing to assume England's place as hosts.

"I feel sorry when sport gets involved in politics," says Watson. "Let's not forget the guys who are trying to make a career out of cricket in Zimbabwe. They're being affected by what's happening. It's about time the ICC took a stance. If you look at the ECB and then the ICC, will they let the Twenty20 tournament go ahead in England? Will Zimbabwe be allowed in? Will all the other teams take a stance? There are huge ramifications over all of that and it might be that the tournament doesn't go ahead next year."

One spin-off could be that the Saltires' path to the World Twenty/20 is eased if the number of qualification places available in August in Belfast is increased from two to three. So much the better if that happens, Watson admits. "But banning a team or banning a game of cricket, will that change the situation in Zimbabwe? The answer's probably no. If they want to take steps against Mugabe, then that's a good thing. But will a ban on cricketers coming to the UK do anything to change the situation? There's not a lot they can do on that. It probably fuels what he's trying to do in Zimbabwe. And ultimately, would he care?"

The Forfarshire batsman will follow the deliberations with interest. But lest we forget, there is cricket to be played, with Scotland hosting New Zealand and Ireland in the Lloyds TSB Tri-Series at Mannofield this week.

Although Ireland can still rejoice in their antics at last year's World Cup, it has been an age since Scotland took a Test scalp. Defeating the Black Caps will be no easy feat, even though the hosts will be at full strength, save for injured pair Calum MacLeod and Craig Wright and the absent Kyle Coetzer.

"It gives us the luxury of having to decide whether we want to carry seven batters or extra bowlers, whereas in the past it's been a case of just who was available," says Watson.

The Irish, who meet the Kiwis in Tuesday's opener and their Celtic cousins a day later, are not so fortunate. Their captain, Will Porterfield, has opted to prioritise his new-found place in the Gloucestershire side while Niall O'Brien and Eoin Morgan will remain with Northants and Middlesex respectively. Few from the line-up which sparkled in the Caribbean linger, and today's warm-up in Bangor against Bangladesh A will be as much familiarisation process as preparation.

It will, underlines Ireland's depute skipper Kyle McCallan, test their strength in depth. "But we'll see a number of guys who, in the recent past, were pushing for places. And if they do well, it's only going to stand us in good stead for our future."

Watson has higher aspirations for his side, who face New Zealand on Thursday. Chances to make an impact beyond the cosy world of Associate cricket, he knows, do not come along with any frequency. "Every one's an opportunity. You look at last year when we lost to the West Indies off the last ball," he says.

"For us, it's important that we play well. Then you hope conditions go in our favour, the ball seams around a bit, we get a few early wickets, and then the chance comes along. I don't think they're a much better side than Lancashire who we managed to turn over. That's the way we have to view it and then see what we can do."

Lloyds TSB Tri-Series (Mannofield): Tuesday: Ireland v New Zealand, Wednesday: Scotland v Ireland, Thursday: Scotland v New Zealand (Coverage on BBC Radio Scotland)