You can have a rest lads, if we've earned enough cash! says England chief Morris

Hugh Morris, overall manager of the national team's affairs, insisted that he would try to strike a proper balance for players to perform at their best.

Scroll down to read more:

Practice makes perfect: Pietersen sharpens up his fielding skills before the final one-day clash with Sri Lanka

He is keen to ensure that key players like Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad do not burn out, something Pietersen fears as a result of over-playing.

Ominously, however, Morris pointed out England's commitment to the international tours programme until 2011 and referred to the England and Wales Cricket Board's desire to maintain revenues.

"We need the players to be going into series fully fit, motivated and healthy and that's very high on the agenda," he said.

"The consideration the board would have is: if we played less cricket, how would that affect our income?"

Making as much money as possible is the guiding principle at Lord's now, which is one reason why some England players have had no real break in 18 months.

So, as the victorious team prepare for tomorrow's final, dead rubber against Sri Lanka, having already won the series, some will be yearning for the precious month off before heading back there for three Test matches.

Pietersen puts England's one-day success down to hard work. He said: "What is pleasing is the work on our skills.

"The guys are going in and working hard, the practices are hard and that's the best thing about it. It's been part of my method for years to try to improve every day.

"If you want to be the best team in the world you've got to work at being the best team in the world."

Morris aims to fill the new posts of national selector and county selector as soon as possible. David Graveney and Geoff Miller effectively occupy the jobs at present.

Both wish to continue and Morris will speak to them on his return and also try to secure bowling, fielding and national academy coaches.