Sri Lanka will replace Zimbabwe as England's first opponents of next summer.

The England and Wales Cricket Board severed bilateral ties with Zimbabwe Cricket two weeks ago on account of the drastic deterioration of life in the African country under Robert Mugabe's regime.

The ECB have since been looking for replacements to play the two May Tests at Lord's and the Riverside, with Sri Lanka agreeing to step in as England build up for the Ashes later in the summer.

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Michael Vaughan's side will start their summer against the Sri Lankans

As well as the two Tests, the tourists will play three NatWest Series one-day internationals and a match against England Lions at Derby.

They will arrive in England in April and warm up with tour matches against Leicestershire and Essex, while they will play Somerset before the one-day series.

England will then begin their bid to reclaim the Ashes against Australia.

ECB chief executive David Collier said: 'We are delighted that Sri Lanka will tour in the early part of next summer.

'The strong and close relationship which we built up during our recent winter tours to Sri Lanka allowed the ECB, at short notice, to be able to approach Sri Lanka and confirm their availability for the international matches in the early part of next summer.'

Full Sri Lanka itinerary

April 21-23: v Leicestershire (Leicester)

April 25-27: v Essex (Chelmsford)

April 30-May 3: v England Lions (Derby)

May 7-11: First npower Test match (Lord's)

May 15-19: Second npower Test match (Chester-le-Street)

May 21: v Somerset (Taunton)

May 24: First NatWest Series ODI (Bristol)

May 27: Second NatWest ODI (Edgbaston)

May 30: Third NatWest Series ODI (Headingley)