Vaughan to lead tour

England were expected to announce a near full-strength squad for the controversial winter one-day series in Zimbabwe today following a frantic round of last-gasp negotiations yesterday.

Despite appeals from coach Duncan Fletcher to rest captain Michael Vaughan and four key members of the England team for the tour, it now looks certain that Vaughan will lead the side minus two or three first-choice stars.

Fast bowler Steve Harmison has already pulled out citing moral objections over visiting Robert Mugabe's brutal regime and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is expected to be rested to protect a persistent ankle injury. Despite making himself available batsman Marcus Trescothick could also be left out along with either Ashley Giles or Andrew Strauss.

But Vaughan has been told he must lead the side as the England and Wales Cricket Board chairman David Morgan seeks to build bridges with the international cricket community following the debacle of last year's World Cup row over Zimbabwe.

The selectors will today finish seeking assurances from the rest of the 14-man party that they are prepared to tour. Yesterday, Morgan took the unusual step of intervening in the selection process by calling an emergency meeting of the ECB's management board by conference call. The board agreed with Morgan that the squad shouldn't be weakened by resting too many players, particularly the skipper.

England will be based in Namibia from 15 to 25 October after plans to warm-up in South Africa fell through.