``We have a very good side,'' 23-year-old skipper Alistair Campbell said on Friday. And with two months of tough conditioning and coaching behind them, they certainly have the best prepared side in the four-nation tournament.

``The team has put up a lot of hard work after a disappointing season, and inducted some new faces,'' said Campbell, who will be captaining for the first time in a major tournament.

Zimbabwe will take on Australia on Monday in the opening match of the two-week championship. World champions Sri Lanka, and India are the other contenders for the title.

``Captaining a side for the first time against three top cricket playing nations is going to be a dificult task,'' Campbell admitted. He was all praise for 22-year-old off-spinner Andrew Whittal, who is making his one-day debut after captaining the Cambridge University team, and Craig Wishart, 22, an allrounder.

Zimbabwe will however miss Dave Houghton, though the team does have the services of veterans Andy Flower, Heath Streak and Paul Strang for the battle ahead.

``However, cricket is a team game and we have done a lot of work as a team and are working very hard,'' Campbell said. ``We might have a few surprises in store for the other sides.''