Hussain and Fletcher: Looking for new talent

That, though, is precisely why Duncan Fletcher was so keen that the Zimbabwe tour should go ahead, whatever the political uncertainties of the area.

With less than 18 months to go before the World Cup, in South Africa, Fletcher and Nasser Hussain have decisions to make about their preferred personnel with precious few matches left in which to judge players.

And with three certainties for the World Cup absent from the tour - Darren Gough, Andrew Caddick and Graham Thorpe - opportunities exist for younger players to compete as much against themselves as the opposition.

Of the bowlers Ryan Sidebottom and James Kirtley have one-day and Test pretensions, whilst Owais Shah has a point to prove to the selectors for ditching him after the triangular tournament earlier this summer in which he showed glimpses of a mouth-watering talent.

Add to that the desire of Mark Ramprakash to rekindle his one-day career after re-establishing himself on the Test match map and the need for Ben Hollioake, Paul Collingwood and Paul Grayson to convince doubters of their worth, and there will be no shortage of competition for places.

Ramprakash: Out of the one-day side since 1998

Grayson, in particular, can consider himself fortunate indeed to be making the trip, apparently a reward for his form in four-day cricket for Essex.

And as for Jeremy Snape - well, the off-spinning allrounder considered not good enough for Northamptonshire two years ago has found his niche at Gloucestershire where he has occasionally excelled.

Most observers would not have had him in the their England one-day squad. It is now up to him to prove people wrong.

The immediate focus of attention, however, will fall on 21-year-old wicketkeeper James Foster who travels to Zimbabwe as the only gloveman before heading off to India and New Zealand as Alec Stewart's deputy.

With Mike Atherton walking away from cricket, speculation is mounting as to when 38-year-old Stewart will retire.

England are hoping for runs from Foster

Foster is clearly the favourite to replace him and Zimbabwe, with three matches in Harare and two in Bulawayo, will be an ideal opportunity for the Essex keeper to make his bow with few expectations and, at least by international standards, minimal pressure.

A word of caution, however.

Though the clock is ticking before South Africa 2003, and Fletcher and Hussain must make decisions sooner rather than later, it would be unfair to judge any of the players on their performances on the slow, low surfaces of Zimbabwe.

Rather, they should be seen largely as a basis for selection for the one-day tours to India and New Zealand early next year.

Once they have made up their minds, however, Fletcher and Hussain are likely to stick with their chosen few.