Grant Flower twice lacked support from other batsmen

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union commissioned a task force on racial integration in the game.

Unsurprisingly, they recommended that more involvement from black players and administrators was urgently needed.

But there were different opinions over how and when this should be done, and things came to a head in June, when Zimbabwe hosted their first-ever triangular series.

Heath Streak resigned his captaincy over the decision to replace injured wicketkeeper Andy Flower with 18 year-old Tatenda Taibu.

While Streak later reversed his decision, Zimbabwe played dismal cricket and lost all four of their games with India and the West Indies.

This was followed by two one-day series whitewashes against South Africa and England, who Zimbabwe had beaten 3-0 in a one-day series back in 1997.

Sensational form in 1999

Zimbabwe had grown in confidence after that triumph, reaching the Super Six stage of the 1999 World Cup, following sensational victories over India and South Africa.

Bryan Strang has had problems with injuries

Henry Olonga, who took a hat trick against India, has struggled with injury since then. Streak, Bryan Strang, Brighton Watambwa and Andy Blignaut have also suffered injuries.

Zimbabwe also lack a one-day opening batsman, so the collapses that are so often seen in Test matches have now also become a one-day problem.

But perhaps the most telling aspect of the Zimbabwean decline is fielding.

They were known as one of the world's top fielding nations, with their spirited efforts often giving them a competitive edge.

Demoralised

But now dropped catches, missed stumpings, poor throws and mis-fields are all too common, revealing that the Zimbabweans are a demoralised outfit.

Players are not happy with their financial rewards, and last year the team went on strike in England.

There is tension between senior members of the team and new faces being introduced following the recommendations of the task force.

The political situation has also played a part in Zimbabwe's decline.

Farm owners

Streak and his vice-captain Guy Whittall are the most notable farm owners in the side, and both have been affected by the much-publicised land invasions.

The England series was the final assignment for coach Carl Rackemann.

Marsh, the former Australia coach and batsman, is now at the helm until the 2003 World Cup, where Zimbabwe will host their group games.

Huge task

The enormity of the task facing Marsh is considerable, particularly as Zimbabwe will be on tour until March.

The team travels to Sharjah at the end of the month, then to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India, and it will be important for Zimbabwe to pick up at least the odd one-day win.

There is no doubt that Zimbabwean cricket has a bright future - the game is growing in popularity more and more children are to be seen playing cricket on the streets.

But Marsh's challenge is to produce a short-term turn around to avoid a humiliating World Cup for Zimbabwe.