MARK Butcher today urged England's cricket authorities not to allow the controversy over the proposed tour to Zimbabwe have a negative impact on the Test series in the West Indies.

"During last summer when Zimbabwe were over here I remember thinking that we were going there in 2004 and would things have changed by then?" said the Surrey batsman.

"The best difference this time is that the ECB and the Government are trying to pre-empt any disasters.

"With a bit of luck, we can concentrate on playing a series in the West Indies and it will be taken care of back here." Tweet