The England cricket team toured Zimbabwe from 28 November to 5 December 2004 for a four-match One Day International (ODI) series, with two matches in Harare and two in Bulawayo. England won all four matches. Foreign journalists were originally banned from covering the series,[1] but the Zimbabwean government lifted the ban for some journalists on 25 November;[2] however, this delay in getting accreditation for the journalists resulted in the cancellation of the first of the five planned ODIs that was due to have taken place on 26 November.[3]
Squads
England named a 14-man squad for the tour of Zimbabwe, minus fast bowler Steve Harmison, who ruled himself out of the tour for "political and sporting reasons".[4] Also missing from the side were opening batsman Marcus Trescothick and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who were rested ahead of England's tour of South Africa later in the year; Ashley Giles was also given the option to miss the tour, but he chose to travel with the team.[5] New to the England ODI set-up were batsmen Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen, wicket-keeper Matt Prior, and bowler Simon Jones.[5]
