Fielding and catching sessions at the camp were interspersed with hard physical conditioning, but Lloyd and Atherton were confident they had found the right approach for a tour vital to England's development.

Atherton said: ``I've noticed in the past, and especially in my own cricket, that we've been guilty of tailing off a little towards the end of a series or tour. This winter I don't want to see that and our aim is to be as fit, if not fitter, than any other team in the world.''

Dean Riddle, a fitness adviser from the Leeds rugby league club, is travelling with England for the first month of the tour. His fitness training in Zimbabwe has been designed to be specific to the needs of each player.

Lloyd spent Tuesday afternoon checking out the practice facilities, which were provided by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union. He had had experience of the local grounds in charge of the England Under-19 tour less than 12 months ago.

This week England, who rested after their Tuesday morning arrival in Harare, planned two full days of net practice, followed by a middle practice tomorrow.

On Saturday and Sunday the tour begins with two one-day fixtures in Harare - ``Arundel-type'' games, according to Lloyd. The first of two four-day matches, against Mashonaland, starts next Tuesday.