Campbell to return as Zimbabwe captain

John Ward

October 29, 2002

The Zimbabwe selectors have announced the Zimbabwe 'A' team to play Pakistan in a three-day warm-up match at Country Club in Harare, starting on Monday 4 November, and the squad for the First Test match at Harare Sports Club, beginning on Saturday 9 November.

Alistair Campbell has been named as captain of the Zimbabwe team for the duration of the Pakistan tour, with Andy Flower as his vice-captain. Campbell was appointed captain of the national side in 1996 and held the post for three years before resigning after a series of disappointing team performance and loss of personal batting form. This time he will only be standing in as captain for the injured Heath Streak.

Several newcomers are included in the Test squad of 18, although it is possible none will actually play this time. They are top-order batsman Mark Vermeulen (who does have one ODI to his credit); middle-order batsmen Stuart Matsikenyeri who was a notable contemporary of Hamilton Masakadza and Tatenda Taibu at Churchill School; Sean Ervine, a middle-order batsman and medium-pacer who has played nine one-day internationals; Richard Sims, a top-order batsman and off-spinner; Campbell Macmillan, a pace bowler who has recently written his way into the record books with a century for Midlands batting at number eleven; and Matabeleland all-rounder Gavin Ewing, a good middle-order bat and off-spinner.

All are products of the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy, sponsored by CFX, except Ewing, who was turned down two years ago as he did not reach the required fitness level. Of those with Test experience already, Hamilton Masakadza returns as expected, released from his studies at the University of the Free State. Three players return after missing most or all of last season due to injury or loss of form: Guy Whittall, Andy Blignaut and Mluleki Nkala. Douglas Hondo is included, but his fitness is still in doubt.

There are some notable omissions. Craig Evans, despite his prolific scoring in the Logan Cup, is omitted, but may well win a place in the one-day team. So is Doug Marillier, who has two Logan Cup centuries in three matches to his credit. Gavin Rennie is another whose high scores in the Logan Cup have failed to bring him recognition. Henry Olonga is excluded, although reports from Bulawayo suggested he is bowling really well at present.

Several of the squad players are including in the Zimbabwe A team, and will know that a good performance there might earn them a place in the Test team.

The Pakistani team, captained by Waqar Younis, arrive in Harare on Friday evening, 1 November, and will practise at Harare South Country Club on Saturday and Sunday before beginning their warm-up match on Monday.

Zimbabwe First Test squad: *Alistair Campbell, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Dion Ebrahim, Hamilton Masakadza, Guy Whittall, +Tatenda Taibu, Andy Blignaut, Mluleki Nkala, Travis Friend, Raymond Price, Douglas Hondo, Mark Vermeulen, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Sean Ervine, Richie Sims, Gavin Ewing, Campbell Macmillan.

Zimbabwe 'A': *Guy Whittall, Dion Ebrahim, Mark Vermeulen, Grant Flower, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Richie Sims, Sean Ervine, +Tatenda Taibu, Mluleki Nkala, Blessing Mahwire, Campbell Macmillan. 12th Man: Gavin Ewing.

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