The captain and coach of the side preferred to avoid talk of the political situation ahead of the one-day side's departure to the African country on Wednesday evening.

The five-game series is an opportunity for young players to blossom in the international arena and Fletcher said the unrest caused by farm invasions did not concern the side.

"I've never been involved in politics. It's up to the politicians to sort it out. Why should cricketers have to sort it out?"

Hussain added that the team would refrain from venturing too far from hotels and assumed they would be briefed by the High Commission in Harare about safety.

But both men used a news conference at Gatwick airport to stress the tour was a chance to build for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

"The World Cup's a year and a bit away and we've got to build a side for that.

"Here's our opportunity to look at some young players."

But Fletcher said it was not guaranteed that all of the 16-strong squad would get a game on the tour.

England have lost the last 11 of their one-day internationals.