Wednesday, 19 October 2011

CAMPBELL STEPS DOWN

Alistair Campbell stepped down from his position as Zimbabwe chairman of selectors with immediate effect on Tuesday.

Since his appointment to the post in July 2009, Campbell has had the dual responsibilities of both convener of selectors and chairman of the ZC board's cricket committee.

He expressed the desire to concentrate on his activities with the cricket committee as well as his work as a cricket commentator.

"It has been the greatest of pleasures to select the sides that have spearheaded Zimbabwe's return to Test cricket and I feel now that it would be best to concentrate my expertise on governing the structure of the game as part of the cricket committee. I have every confidence in the panel," said Campbell.

"I leave behind and look forward to watching teams that are a true representation of the vast amount of talent and experience we have in this country."

Campbell will be replaced by former wicketkeeper-batsman Wayne James.

James played four Tests and eleven ODIs for Zimbabwe and will join Kevin Curran and Givemore Makoni on the selection panel.

Friday, 14 October 2011

SOUTHEE OUT OF ZIM TEST

New Zealand will be without fast bowler Tim Southee for the entire duration of the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. Southee was initially left out of the limited-overs sides after suffering a cartilage damage to his left knee while preparing for the Champions League Twenty20. National selection manager Kim Littlejohn had been hopeful that Southee would recover in time for the one-off Test from November 1, but it has emerged that he has not recovered sufficiently.

"The latest scans show that the knee injury has improved but the injury has not completely gone away," Littlejohn said. "We are taking a long-term view with Tim's injury and have opted to extend his recovery period rather than rush him back too soon. He is expected to be fully fit and available for December's Test series against Australia."

Graeme Aldridge, who is already part of the Twenty20 and ODI squad, will stay back for the one-off Test match. New Zealand are also without Hamish Bennett, who shared new-ball duties with Southee during the World Cup in India. The returning Kyle Mills will share the new-ball duties with Chris Martin, Andy McKay and Aldridge.

Test squad: Ross Taylor (capt), Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Martin Guptill, Jesse Ryder, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel, Graeme Aldridge, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, BJ Watling, Reece Young

Thursday, 13 October 2011

MATSIKENYERI BOUNCES BACK

Two hundreds from two old school friends lit up the latest round of Zimbabwe's 50-over championship, Stuart Matsikenyeri and Tatenda Taibu contributing two eye-catching centuries that were both made from No. 4 for their respective teams. While Matsikenyeri's unbeaten 110 - his first List A hundred in his 20 1st matches - set up a 117-run win for Mashonaland Eagles, Taibu's run-a-ball 106 helped Southern Rocks squeeze to a tie in a high-scoring match against Mid West Rhinos.

Eagles were thankful for Matsikenyeri's effort at Mutare Sports Club as no other batsman made more than 25 and he did much to hold the innings together after they had slipped to precarious 107 for 5. He found able partners in Trevor Garwe, Nathan Waller and Ray Price, bringing up a 123-ball century in the 47th over and staying until the end to guide Eagles to 269 for 9.

Mountaineers' reply never got going, with both openers falling in the teens. Hamilton Masakadza's 81-ball 71 kept up their hopes, but once he was dismissed the fight went from the innings. Kyle Jarvis was the main destroyer, his dimissal of Masakadza sparking a dramatic collapse as the last five wickets fell for just two runs in the space of less than three overs.

In Masvingo, an ominously strong showing from Mid West Rhinos' top order boosted them to 305 for 8 after they had chosen to bat. Vusi Sibanda (47), Gary Ballance (46) and Brendan Taylor (55) all showed their class before Malcolm Waller's bellicose 59-ball 86 ensured Rhinos would reach an imposing total.

Rocks' initial response lacked the same fluency, but Robertson Chinyengetere shared in a 166-run stand with Taibu at better than a-run-a-ball to tilt the match in their favour. When he was dismissed, Rocks needed 77 in just under 12 overs, but the pressure proved telling on the lower order. Taibu could not stick around to finish the job, becoming one of offspinner Simon Mugava's three victims, but Tendai Chisoro's rapid 29 took Rocks close before a final effort from Hilary Matanga drew the scores level.

Eagles' win solidified their position at the top of the points table, while Rhinos, Rocks and Mountaineers are all still languishing winless.