Rennie, Mutendera axed from selection panel

Reports have emerged that Zimbabwe Cricket has removed David Mutendera and John Rennie from the selection panel, replacing them with former national coach Kevin Curran and Givemore Makoni, who is chief executive of the Southern Rocks domestic franchise. National selector Alistair Campbell survived the clean-out and remains in his post.

Makoni has been a constant on Zimbabwe's cricket scene for several years, having been one of the founders of Takashinga Cricket Club, which was originally known as Old Winstonians. He's also carried out of the role of team manager of the national side - a position he resigned before taking charge of Southern Rocks. Makoni has not been free from the controversy that has dogged cricket in the country in recent years though and has often been portrayed as a politicised figure.

Curran, a former player who has also been involved with cricket in Zimbabwe for several years, had recently sealed the job of coach of the Mashonaland Eagles franchise and has been playing an active role at the Interfin Cricket Academy in Harare.

Rennie and Mutendera - both former national players themselves - were reportedly given the axe as part of the fall-out from Zimbabwe's disappointing World Cup campaign in the subcontinent earlier this year, where they failed to beat any of the major nations, although their only really controversial selection was leaving experienced batsman Hamilton Masakadza out of Zimbabwe's squad for the tournament.

The decision to relieve them of their duties was taken at the same meeting where it was decided that Brendan Taylor would replace Elton Chigumbura as captain of the national side.