Campbell set for a recall after injuries hit Zimbabwe
Sunday, March 9 2003 19:38 Hrs (IST)

Bloemfontein: Former Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell is set to earn a surprise recall to the side, a team spokesman said on Sunday.

Babu Meman, Zimbabwe's media manager, said they had asked the World Cup event technical committee for permission to call in Campbell following an injury to Mark Vermeulen.

"It hasn't been finalised yet. We have to go through the proper procedures with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Being Sunday doesn't help," Meman said.

Opening batsman Vermeulen sustained a hairline fracture of the skull when he was struck by a delivery from team-mate Travis Friend while batting in the nets at Goodyear Park on Friday.

Meman added that Zimbabwe was also asking if it could replace leg spinner Brian Murphy with its designated non-travelling reserve Stuart Matsikanyire, a middle- order batsman.

Murphy tore a calf muscle while bowling in the nets during the mid-innings break of Zimbabwe's opening Super Six match against New Zealand on Saturday and was consequently unable to take the field at all during a six-wicket defeat.

Afterwards Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak said Murphy, who was not needed to bat, had been missed as he was a "wicket-taking bowler."

Time is of the essence for Zimbabwe. It takes on fellow Africans Kenya in Bloemfontein on Wednesday in a Super Six match it must win to keep its semi-final hopes alive.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
Zim WC injury jinx continues, Murphy tears calf muscle
Astle’s 13th-ODI century sees Kiwis home by six wickets