Tikolo named Smith's vice-captain for Afro-Asia Cup

Steve Tikolo, the Kenya captain, has been named vice-captain to Graeme Smith in the Africa side for the second Afro-Asia tournament to be held in India in June.

Tikolo is one of four Kenyans - the other three being Thomas Odoyo, Peter Ongondo, Hiren Varaiya - in a 15-man squad dominated by nine players from South Africa.

In a further blow to the prestige Zimbabwe, there only two players from their side selected, and one of them - Vusi Sibanda - is widely reported to have turned his back on the team. It is quite likely, however, that he will still be available for the African squad.

The tournament was first held in August 2005 South Africa, the series drawn 1-1 with one game being abandoned owing to rain.

The Asian squad is yet to be announced but will be made up of members from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Africa squad
Graeme Smith (SA, capt), Steve Tikolo (Ken, vice-capt), Johan Botha (SA), Mark Boucher (SA, wk), Elton Chigumbura (Zim), AB de Villiers (SA), Herchelle Gibbs (SA), Andrew Hall (SA), Jacques Kallis (SA), Makhaya Ntini (SA), Thomas Odoyo (Ken), Peter Ongondo (Ken), Shaun Pollock (SA), Vusi Sibanda (Zim), Hiren Varaiya (Ken).