England to announce weakened touring squad

England's squad for the controversial tour of Zimbabwe in November will be revealed this afternoon, and it is likely that the names of several senior players will be absent, some for political reasons, others because they need their batteries recharging. But the announcement follows a day of heated telephone discussions.

On one side was Duncan Fletcher, England's coach, who has been arguing that some of his big-name players need to take time off, and missing a five-match series against a dire Zimbabwe side would provide just that break. On the other hand, the officials of the ECB, who suddenly became involved in the selection of the squad and, if reports are to be believed, attempted to force Fletcher's hand.

It appears that Fletcher's arguments were challenged by the ECB's management, including David Morgan, the chairman, and Tim Lamb, the outgoing chief executive, who wanted a full-strength squad chosen. Morgan came under pressure to compromise, but it is thought that he demanded that Michael Vaughan lead the side in return for allowing some senior players to stay at home.

Forgetting the political background, Fletcher is reported to have argued that after a gruelling six months in which England have played 11 Tests and numerous one-dayers with little respite, some key players were jaded. Steve Harmison said last week that he would not be touring for moral reasons, and Fletcher named Vaughan, Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Flintoff and Ashley Giles as others who needed a rest.

The financial penalties facing England were they not to tour made the trip inevitable. But the make-up of the squad should have been left to the selectors. The ECB will probably argue that had it sent a weakened side then it would have faced punishment, but that it highly unlikely. Given the increasingly punishing schedules of international cricket, the resting of exhausted players for series against weaker opponents will become more common. But the ECB is running scared.

There were further complications with the final selection as David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, scrambled to ensure that those picked were actually willing to go.