Fletcher's call came just a day after England's premier batsman, Graham Thorpe, announced his decision to retire from one-day international cricket due to family pressures.

The former Zimbabwean captain revealed that he had already talked Thorpe out of retirement once before, in Sri Lanka last year.

"He has spoken to me about it some time before and I persuaded him to stay and play one-day cricket," Fletcher said.

"This is the second time he's turned around and said he's had enough."

Thorpe is in the process of going through a divorce and felt that he needed to spend more time with his two young children.

Fletcher admitted that with England's present schedule burn out could become more and more common.

"It's definitely a concern," he said.

"I have good young players who said they were dying to play cricket in April, but now they're coming to me crying for a rest and that's whey we should have a rest in April."

England face a punishing schedule this winter with players due to set off for the Sri Lanka tournament just two days after the last Test against India at the Oval in September.

They do not return home until after the World Cup final on March 23.

"We're going to have to plan this winter," Fletcher said.

"At this stage we're not saying that any players are going to miss anything, but we will be looking at it as things progress."

Fletcher feels that more time should be found in the calendar for breaks for the players although the present schedule may mitigate against it.

He has already written a blueprint for the England and Wales Cricket Board to consider, which would give players more time off during the winter.

Tours would start in April and May prior to the home season.

"Why don't we play Test cricket in August, September and October and have November and December off?

"The trouble is that every country is busy for the next two years, but once that is over then they must start to put this break into the cricket calendar."

"I'm sure all along the line there's going to be problems with the amount of cricket," he admitted.

"It's not going to affect everyone, but it might affect some people - it's a very difficult lifestyle to be away from your kids."