Sri Lanka will replace Zimbabwe as England's first opponents next summer following the decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to sever bilateral ties with Zimbabwe Cricket two weeks ago.

The touring side will play two Tests, at Lord's and the Riverside, and three NatWest Series one-day internationals.

Sri Lanka will arrive in April and warm up with tour matches against Leicestershire, Essex and the England Lions, while they will play Somerset before the one-day series, after which England begin their bid to reclaim the Ashes against Australia.

"We are delighted that Sri Lanka will tour in the early part of next summer," David Collier, the ECB chief executive, said. "The strong and close relationship which we built up during our recent winter tours to Sri Lanka allowed the ECB, at short notice, to be able to approach them and confirm their availability for the international matches in the early part of next summer."

Full Sri Lanka tour itinerary

April 21-23: v Leicestershire (Leicester)

April 25-27: v Essex (Chelmsford)

April 30-May 3: v England Lions (Derby)

May 7-11: First npower Test match (Lord's)

May 15-19: Second npower Test match (Chester-le-Street)

May 21: v Somerset (Taunton)

May 24: First NatWest Series ODI (Bristol)

May 27: Second NatWest ODI (Edgbaston)

May 30: Third NatWest Series ODI (Headingley)