ENGLAND have received guarantees that a controversial new entertainments package introduced in some New Zealand limited overs matches this season, which has consisted of mockery of individual players on the PA system and the hiring of professional strippers to streak across the pitch during intervals, will be toned down for the international one day programme.

Wellington's players have been feted by songs of their choice - the former Warwickshire batsman, Roger Twose, walks out to bat to the theme song of Braveheart - while the opposition are ridiculed. Dismissed opponents have returned to the dressing room amid ribald comments from the PA announcer and snatches of the song, Hit The Road Jack.

Neil Maxwell, the newly appointed marketing manager of the NZ Board, said: "We have supported the Wellington initiative but, that doesn't mean that we support everything that they've tried. We have promised England that music will be played when a player walks out to bat."