England expected to pay off Zimbabwe for 2009 cancellation

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England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke was involved in talks with various international boards in the past week to finalise itineraries for the next few home seasons.

Under the International Cricket Council's future tours programme (FTP), England are scheduled to face Zimbabwe in a two-Test series and minimum of three one-day matches the summer after next.

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In talks: Clarke is finalising itineraries for teh next few seasons

Zimbabwe, however, do not currently have Test status and the ECB are understandably keen to ensure maximum revenue by playing seven Tests in that Ashes year.

England hosts the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup in mid-summer ahead of the five-match campaign against Australia but it is the start of the international season that is proving a headache.

If another Test-playing nation is called in to contest two Tests - Bangladesh could be brought forward 12 months - it would make more sense for the same opposition to stay on for some one-day matches ahead of the 20-over tournament rather than have another team flying in and out of the country.

Tickets for 2009 are due to go on sale within nine months and Clarke has been involved in dialogue with the ICC, Cricket Australia and Zimbabwe Cricket to finalise the scheduling.

"These are the normal and regular conversations which take place between the boards in international cricket," said Clarke in an ECB statement.

"The summer of 2009 is exciting for the ECB but it also has some logistical issues which need to be resolved."

All Test-playing nations are bound by the FTP and any alterations to proposed fixtures come with financial adjustment to those affected. It was agreed in November 2006 that failure to fulfil a one-day international would come at a cost of £75,000.