Tour ofSri Lanka 1997-98Captain: Alistair Campbell
Zimbabwe’s sixth Test tour
Second Test-playing tour ofSri Lanka by Zimbabwe
(December 1997 -
January 1998 )
The touring party arrived optimistic that the new leg-spinning find Adam Huckle, who had just taken 16 wickets in his debut Test series, and fellow leg-spinner Paul Strang could match the Sri Lankan spin bowlers who had overwhelmed them in the two Test match defeats on the previous visit in 1996.
Zimbabwe appeared to be heading for victory in Sri Lanka, only to have it snatched from their grasp. Coach Dave Houghton felt certain that they were robbed of victory by umpires who had been subjected to much press criticism for decisions they had made against the home team, and would no longer give out batsmen who declined to walk. With 200 runs still needed to win and only the tailenders to come, Zimbabwe would almost certainly have won, had appeals against de Silva and Ranatunga been given out during their record breaking partnership of 189.
All-rounder Guy Whittall was fined 50 percent of his match fee for dissent during the final day's play but otherwise the players kept their feelings in check.Although the Zimbabwe authorities made an official complaint to the International Cricket Council about the umpiring, the match and the series were by then lost
Three sets of brothers - the Flowers (Andy and Grant), Rennies (Gavin and John) and Strangs (Bryan and Paul) - represented Zimbabwe on the tour as well as cousins Andy and Guy Whittall.Bryan Strang was sent home over a matter of poor behaviour in Sri Lanka which set back his international career.
A squad of 20 players assembled in Harare for a training camp between 8 and 12 December 1997.
Unavailable:Dave Houghton (retired from playing- niggling injuries persuaded him that he would not be fit to tour Sri Lanka);Eddo Brandes (injured).
Tour Party Announced :15 December 1997.
Murray Goodwin was included in the team whilst his Zimbabwe citizenship application was processed.
Not selected : Stuart Carlisle, Craig Evans, Dirk Viljoen.
It was planned that John Rennie would join the team later during the one-day internationals.
Time between selection and departure from Zimbabwe
13 days
(15 December-28 December)
Travel
HarareQLondonQColombo
Both Heath Streak and Adam Huckle passed late fitness tests on rib-muscle injuries before the team departed Harare late on Sunday night 28 December 1997.
The Zimbabwe players arrived, via England and India, in Colombo on Wednesday 31 December 1997.
They were met on arrival at Banderanaike Airport by Sri Lankan Cricket Board official M.Rajasingham and their liaison officer.Next day they travelled to Matara to begin a three-day match.
A sixteenth player John Rennie joined the touring party on 17 January for the one-day series.
Time spent in Sri Lanka
29 days
(31 December - 28 January)
On-tour selection
Reinforcements
John Rennie joined the team for the one-day internationals.