October 31 Thursday 2002
Campbell to captain Zimbabwe in Pak Tests

HARARE: Alistair Campbell has been named as captain of Zimbabwe for the duration of Pakistan's cricket team tour with Andy Flower as his deputy. Zimbabwe selectors also announced Zimbabwe 'A' team to play Pakistan in a three-day warm-up match at Country Club in Harare, starting on Monday, November 4, and squad for the first Test match at Harare Sports Club, beginning on Saturday, November 9.

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 performances and poor 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, 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 recently wrote his way into 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.

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

Zimbabwe squad for first Test: Alistair Campbell (Captain), 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.