Zimbabwe call on former captains

Two former Zimbabwe captains, Alistair Campbell and Robin Brown, have been roped in to assist with World Cup preparations. Campbell, a former opening batsman, played in the 1992, 1999 and 2003 World Cups and Brown, a former wicketkeeper of the 1983 and 1987 tournaments, are part of a brains trust to ensure Zimbabwean success in the Caribbean next month.

The squad went into a camp on Thursday at the CFX academy in Harare. Assistant coach Stephen Mangongo said that the two former national players were asked to help with the preparations which will include video analysis and one on one sessions. "Campbell and Brown have competed at various World Cups and their experience will be invaluable to our young side."

The Zimbabwe squad is set to play three matches against the Zimbabwe A side prior to their departure for West Indies on February 28.

They are in Group D along with Pakistan, Ireland and hosts West Indies and considering Pakistan's dismal showing in the recent series against a Super Eight berth is not out of reach. Zimbabwe are expected to out-gun the Irish and should they beat Pakistan would progress to the next round.