Zimbabwe restore Waller, Campbell for World Cup

Harare, Jan 23 (IANS) Ahead of the Feb 14 World Cup, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) Friday restored Andy Waller as coach of its national cricket team seven months after he was dismissed from the post.

Another former national team and Under-19 coach Walter Chawaguta has been appointed fielding coach for the team during the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, reports Xinhua.

ZC board chairman Wilson Manase also announced the appointment of former captain Alistair Campbell as managing director of ZC's cricket affairs.

Campbell will oversee the day-to-day running of the game in the country and will also assist in looking for sponsorship for the cash strapped association.

"We have assigned Andy Waller to the position of batting coach while Walter Chawaguta will be the fielding coach," said Manase.

"We will review the situation after the World Cup and if we feel it is the best thing for Waller to continue as batting coach, he will be offered a long term contract. Coach Dave Whatmore has signed a three-month deal but he is pleased with what he has seen so far and wants to continue after the World Cup."

Waller was dismissed from his post last year at the back of a disappointing T20 World Cup as well as a drawn One-Day International series with Afghanistan at home.

He was replaced with Steve Mangongo who only lasted seven months and was shown the exit door after presiding over a poor show in Bangladesh where the team lost all of its matches in the Tests and ODIs against the hosts.

Zimbabwe will travel to Dubai Jan 28 before they proceed to New Zealand for their warm-up matches.