The Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) announced today that the Zimbabwe National Team Captain, Alistair Campbell, has tendered his resignation with immediate effect for personal reasons.

Peter Chingoka, President of the ZCU, confirmed that he and the ZCU Chief Executive, Mr David Ellman-Brown had had extensive discussions with Campbell on Monday 8 November 1999 about his decision against a backdrop where the ZCU Board of Control had reaffirmed their full support for Campbell to carry on through to the end of the current season with the knowledge that Campbell had the backing of the whole team.

"Alistair spoke in great detail, and confidentially, to David Ellman-Brown and myself and he was thoroughly honest and constructive" said Mr Chingoka.

In paying tribute to Campbell's performance as captain, Chingoka added, "We have worked very closely with Alistair. He has shown great loyalty to the Union and the team, an impressive degree of commitment in his own resolute style and he has been rewarded by the fact that he has achieved by far the best results for Zimbabwe on the international arena since his initial appointment in 1996. We have told him that he leaves with a dignified record that he should be proud of. He has committed to make himself available for selection without the pressures of captaincy".

Chingoka stated that ZCU has appointed Andrew Flower to take over immediately as Captain in a caretaker capacity until 31 December 1999 at which time the position will be reviewed. "We are very confident that Andrew will fit in well especially as he has ably held this responsibility in the past. Not only is he a world-class player, he also has all the requisite attributes and credentials to be the obvious successor at this time and he has our fullest backing. In addition the ZCU has appointed Neil Johnson as vice-captain in a caretaker capacity until 31 December 1999.

We wish Andrew, Neil and the team well, starting with the Test Match this week against South Africa.