Zimbabwe Cricket Online volume 4, issue 29, 4 April 2003

Zimbabwe cricket continues to struggle for survival at the top level. The retirement of Andy Flower decimates the team for a start, while Henry Olonga and Guy Whittall were both forced to retire for various reasons. Since our last issue Alistair Campbell has also announced his retirement.

CONTENTS

• Sharjah: Zimbabwe v Pakistan - scorecard and assessment
• Guy Whittall: interview, part 2
• Andy Flower - biography, first-class record, Test record, ODI record
• National League semi-finals
• PG Timbers Vigne Cup semi-final
• Letters

Campbell explained that his hand had been forced by the selectors, having been told that he would not be considered for either Sharjah or the England tour. The convener of selectors, Ali Shah, said that the reason was the player's attitude, that he had failed to attend practices or excuse himself both during and after the World Cup.

Campbell promised us an interview before departing with Guy Whittall to take part in the double-wicket competition in the West Indies, as replacements for Heath Streak and Grant Flower who were called up to Sharjah at short notice. Unfortunately, phone calls made at the appropriate time received no answer, so that has not been possible. It is disappointing that both he and Shah should blame each other for lack of communication about the matter. Zimbabwe cricket needs players and administrators to take the initiative in solving problems.

On Thursday Zimbabwe played a new-look Pakistan side in Sharjah. They lost convincingly but at least were not humiliated, except perhaps when Pakistan hit 70 runs off the final four overs of their innings. Perhaps it was as good as could be expected. It was mainly the experienced Pakistani players - Rashid Latif, Abdur Razzaq and Younis Khan - who did the damage. The best performances for Zimbabwe were a fifty from Doug Marillier, opening the innings, and good bowling by Heath Streak, who however did his team no favours by refusing to bat himself until victory was impossible. An assessment of that match is included.

This week we pay tribute to the great career of Andy Flower. His biography has been updated, as have his detailed career records in first-class, Test and one-day cricket.

Next week the Logan Cup starts up again, suspended since October. Matches begin next Friday, and we include news from the four provinces ahead of those games. There are three more rounds, which will take us to the end of April and the tour to England.