KEVIN Pietersen's highest score in an England shirt has been overshadowed by the Zimbabwe government's decision to refuse several British media organisations entry for England's controversial one-day series.

Pietersen scored an unbeaten 31 in the comprehensive seven-wicket win against Namibia.

But the tour of Zimbabwe, which begins in Harare on Friday with the first of five one-day internationals, will take place without correspondents from BBC radio and television, the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, the Times and Sunday Times, the Sun, the Daily Mirror and the News of the World.

England captain Michael Vaughan was staggered by the decision to ban the majority of the media, who were due to arrive in Harare with the team tomorrow.

Vaughan, after discussions with the Professional Cricketers' Association, said: "It's totally wrong - I'm flabbergasted by the decision. Whether we like the media or not, they have a huge role to play in the game through exposure in advertising and TV and they contribute 60 per cent of the game's income.

"There's something very wrong if our media can't get in and cover a tour. I don't know how a cricket tour can be called a cricket tour when our media are not involved in it.

"I wouldn't pull out of the tour because of it, but I'm now in direct contact with Richard Bevan, our PCA representative, asking for advice."

The events follow months of negotiations between the England and Wales Cricket Board, Zimbabwe Cricket and the International Cricket Council, attempting to secure safe and free passage for media organisations.

Only the Daily Express, Daily Mail, the Independent, the Guardian, the Mail on Sunday, the Press Association and Reuters have been given accreditation for the trip, although Zimbabwe Cricket are refusing to explain why some have gained entry and others banned.

Lovemore Banda, Zimbabwe Cricket's media and communications manager, stressed: "It's our government's prerogative, it's at their discretion - the government are not at liberty to discuss those reasons."

Bevan said: "This should be a major concern for the ICC and it will be interesting to see how they react to the position of Zimbabwe in world cricket . . . for these journalists to be banned is totally unacceptable."