Hollioake backs Vaughan

Adam Hollioake has given his backing to rival candidate Michael Vaughan as England's next one-day captain.

Surrey skipper Hollioake believes Vaughan has what it takes to make a success of the job -- and will eventually succeed Nasser Hussain as Test captain as well.

The England and Wales Cricket Board will reveal the name of the man to lead the side in this summer's one-day internationals against Pakistan, Zimbabwe and South Africa next Tuesday.

And Vaughan has emerged as a clear favourite for the job.

"I went on an 'A' tour with Michael in 1996. I was captain, but it was clear he had all the right credentials to be a leader himself.

Alistair Campbell slams Zimbabwe team selection

Former Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell has condemned the squad chosen to tour England as "a bunch of yes men".

He claims players would only have been chosen after agreeing not to speak out about the country's political situation.

"I used to have a clause in my contract that said if anything from me appeared in the press that was politically orientated, then I'd be suspended without pay pending investigation.

"So all you'll hear from these players is 'I'm here to play cricket'. That's it," he said.

Zimbabwe's participation in the recent Cricket World Cup was overshadowed by protest action against the national government by Andy Flower and Henry Olonga.

Coach Mendis lashes out at his 'unfit' Sri Lankans

Sri Lanka coach Duleep Mendis has lashed out at his team, describing them as "unfit" after their first Test draw with New Zealand.

Mendis, angry at his team's lack of effort in the field, said there is a lot to learn from New Zealand before the second and final Test starts in Kandy on Saturday.

"I wish my team was as fit as Stephen Fleming," said Mendis, after the Kiwi captain notched up an impressive 274 and 69.

"The only reason I can think for dropping so many catches was the poor fitness level of the team.

"It is something we have got to improve and we have to do it fast before Saturday."

However, Sri Lanka's selectors have retained an unchanged team for the match.

Walsh feels McGrath will be first to 600 wickets

Windies great Courtney Walsh believes Glenn McGrath will become the first fast bowler to claim 600 Test wickets if his reliable body remains intact.

But Walsh, who is resigned to losing his Test record of 519 wickets in the next two years, isn't sure if McGrath will beat spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan to the 600-mark.

Warne (491) leads the race but the leg-spinner is unlikely to take another wicket for at least another 13 months as he sits out a one-year ban for drug use.

That leaves Muralitharan (442) and McGrath (422) with time, but the Sri Lankan is the favourite to beat Walsh's mark because of his volume of bowling.

But McGrath has the chance to set fast-bowling records which may take decades to break, needing to play for at least another four years to reach 600 victims.

Walsh said injury would be McGrath's only obstacle as the 33-year-old prepares to return to international cricket in tonight's third Test with the West Indies in Bridgetown, Barbados.

"As long as he's playing and enjoys it and he doesn't take a long layoff (he'll get 600)," said Walsh.

"If he takes a break and comes back, he might find it a problem.

"He's a tremendous player. Fast bowling is not very easy and Glenn has looked after himself very, very well."