CRICKET: England's cricket team finally flew into Zimbabwe yesterday but cut their controversial tour short after a two-day delay due to a row over accrediting British journalists.

The tour was thrown into question earlier this week when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) told the team to remain in South Africa after Zimbabwe authorities barred 13 media members.

The tour got the go-ahead on Thursday when the hosts lifted the ban, but after arriving in Harare officials said the team would play four games instead of the five initially scheduled.

"This tour will consist of four one-day internationals - two in Harare and two in Bulawayo," ECB chairman David Morgan told a news conference.

The first match had been set for yesterday but had to be postponed after the team was ordered to stay in Johannesburg while the accreditation impasse was resolved.

"The Harare matches will take place on Sunday and Wednesday. The team will transfer to Bulawayo on Friday and they will play in Bulawayo on Saturday and Sunday," Morgan said.

"Zimbabwe Cricket were very keen that the team should play tomorrow (Saturday). We rejected that out of hand because England could not play on fewer than 24 hours notice. Four one-day internationals in eight days is in itself a fairly hectic schedule.

"Zimbabwe Cricket has indicated that they will suffer a very significant financial penalty by playing one fewer match. We have made it clear that we do not believe the ECB is responsible for the loss. It is a result of the delay in accrediting 13 journalists," he said.