Zimbabwe to undergo selection overhaul

It has emerged that one of the recommendations of the recent ICC report into cricket in Zimbabwe was that there was a complete overhaul of the system of selection for the national team.

The ICC task force, headed by West Indies board president Julian Hunte, said the national selection committee lacked the necessary experience to make informed decisions.

At present, the four-man committee is led by Kenyon Zeal and includes Vumi Moyo, Steyn Kombai and Jackie Du Preez. Only Du Preez, who played Tests for South Africa in the 1960s, has any discernable cricketing pedigree.

"The depth and relevance of the playing experience of these selectors was a concern," the ICC report stated. "Only one of the selectors has played Test cricket while the other three have very little high profile cricket playing experience. [We] noted a distinct lack of awareness among stakeholders, including current players, of the composition and workings of the NSC."

There was also criticism of the way the captain is appointed. "The NSC members are permitted to make representations to the Cricket Committee but their input is not necessarily followed in the appointment of the national captain. The board chairman [Peter Chingoka] of ZC retains a right of veto on team selection."

While the selectors have not had a deep player pool to work with, there has been criticism of the way they have operated.

Given that ZC appears to have taken on board many of the ICC's recommendations, it is likely that there will be changes to the selection panel. Given it has indicated a desire to attract former players back into the game at all levels, it would seem sensible that the likes of Heath Streak, who still lives in Zimbabwe and has expressed a willingness to help, are drafted in as selectors. If the will is there, a highly experienced selection panel could easily be assembled.

Furthermore, the board will need to remove the right of Chingoka or any other out-and -out administrator to interfere in any part of the selection process, including the choice of captain.