England split Sri Lanka tour

England's tour of Sri Lanka this winter will have a definite split between the one-day and Test series, giving some players one month's break in between.

The problem of the effect on players of long tours was highlighted this week with a number being disciplined for off-the-field indiscipline while at the World Cup in the Caribbean, which for many followed a gruelling trip to Australia.

This winter the one-day side will arrive in Sri Lanka on September 25, playing a warm-up match and five ODIs before October 15.

The Test squad heads out a month later and will play two scheduled three-day warm-up matches before the first of three Tests starts on December 1 in Galle, which is being totally rebuilt since the devastating tsunami of 2004.

Further Tests will follow in Colombo and Kandy before the side returns home two days before Christmas.