England to tour Zimbabwe

England have confirmed plans to play five one-day internationals in Zimbabwe this autumn in an urgent attempt to kick-start their build-up to the next World Cup.

Coach Duncan Fletcher knew several months ago that his players needed more experience of limited-overs cricket - and four straight defeats in the triangular tournament, making a record nine consecutive losses, have merely underlined that fact.

Consequently, at a time when England could be resting between the end of this season and start of their winter tours to India and New Zealand, Fletcher will lead the squad to the country of his birth for a handful of internationals in Harare and Bulawayo during the start of October.

Speaking after England had been dismissed for 86 - their lowest ever limitedovers total - and suffered a 125-run defeat by Australia at Old Trafford, Fletcher said: "It's about learning how to play one-day cricket at this level.

"It is a huge jump from county cricket to international cricket and we have been in a situation in this competition where, because of injuries, we've had to bring in four or five different players."

Fletcher began negotiating for an additional tour, dedicated solely to one-day cricket, when England were in Sri Lanka last winter so the decision to go to Zimbabwe is no panic move.