Sri Lanka takes Zimbabwe's place on tour of England

Sri Lanka will tour England next year after Zimbabwe's cricketers were barred from the country.

The England and Wales Cricket Board severed ties with Zimbabwe after receiving the backing of the British government as part of a protest against Robert Mugabe, who is accused of using violence to win the June 27 presidential runoff.

Sri Lanka will step in and play two test matches and three one-day internationals in May leading up to England's Ashes series against Australia later in the summer.

LONDON, Tuesday, AP