Controversy due to competitive element

England captain Nasser Hussain has attempted to play down the controversy on the short tour of Zimbabwe, attributing it to the competitive nature of modern cricket.

"Whoever we play, we play hard," Hussain said on Friday as he reflected on the one-day series against Zimbabwe which ends with the fifth and final match on Saturday.

Wicketkeeper James Foster and Hussain, along with Zimbabwe's Andy Flower, were severely reprimanded by match referee Colonel Naushad Ali of Pakistan after two heated verbal exchanges during the third match.

"There was a fair share of controversy in the summer (against Australia) and there was some controversy in Sri Lanka and Pakistan (earlier this year) -- that's the game now," Hussain said at a news conference.

"There are hundreds of media and cameras picking up on everything and that is the game and there is controversy all around.

"You can't have a media core and not (have them) picking up on things. We play Zimbabwe in the same way we play any other side."

Zimbabwe stand-in captain Alistair Campbell called Hussain a bad sport after the third match as relations between the sides cooled.

However, Hussain said ahead of Saturday's game: "I'll shake hands warmly with the opposing captain."

The tour has been a playing success for England, who have won the first four one-day internationals.

"We've put in good performances," Hussain said. "We've found out about certain players and created an atmosphere learning about one-day cricket and discussed things before and after matches.

"Generally we've worked at the game of one-day cricket. We don't get many opportunities to do that. It always seems to be a bit of a tag-on at the end of a tour.

"It's the first opportunity that (coach) Duncan (Fletcher) and myself have had to sit down with the boys and say, 'right this is what one-day cricket is about, let's just focus on that'.

"Obviously we will play better sides and will have to play against better teams if we are going to progress but don't underestimate Zimbabwe by any means."

Mail Cricket Editor