Ebrahim replaced as head of selectors

Zimbabwe Cricket has announced a new set of selectors led by Bruce Makovah with former convener Macsood Ebrahim, Ethan Dube and Robin Brown, the Harare Sports Club curator, making up the four-man committee.

Makovak played first-class cricket soon after Zimbabwe were granted Test status in 1992, and represented Mashonaland and Zimbabwe A as a medium-pace bowler. Ebrahim and Dube were retained, while former Rhodesian left-arm spinner Richard Kaschula lost his place amid revelations that he told Zimbabwe Cricket that he could not work with Andy Pycroft, who has been appointed joint coach of the Zimbabwe A side. Kaschula, who had been outspoken in his criticisms of Phil Simmons, until last month the Zimbabwe coach, resigned.

Although Ebrahim retains his place on the selection committee, his replacement as head of selection will be seen by many as a concession to player power. It was widely believed that his eventual removal was one of the conditions the rebel players demanded before they returned to national colours earlier in the year.

Unsurprisingly, Tatenda Taibu retained the captaincy and former captain Heath Streak remained vice-captain. Stephen Mangongo, the former head of selectors, bounced back as Zimbabwe A's joint coach, while Walter Chawaguta will take charge of the Under-19s at the inaugural Under-19 Afro-Asia tournament in India in November and the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka next February.

All the appointments were made at the Zimbabwe Cricket board meeting which followed the annual general meeting at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

There was controversy before that meeting when the media were banned from attending. Peter Chingoka, the ZC chairman, said they undertook the decision after he claimed that journalists hijacked last year's meeting. It had been widely rumoured that reporters planned to ask the board potentially embarrassing questions resulting from the damning statement by Zimbabwe players at the weekend.