Alistair Campbell

Alistair Campbell Biography

Alistair Douglas Ross Campbell was born 23 September 1972 in Salisbury (now Harare), Zimbabwe.

He is a former Zimbabwean cricketer and a former captain. He played as a left handed batsman for Zimbabwe.

He often played as an opener especially in One Day International matches.

Background

Alistair Campbell Started his cricketing career as early as in school times in Eaglesvale High School, Zimbabwe.

He became the youngest player, at the time to score a century in a first class match, which earned him a place in the Zimbabwe team playing at the ICC World Cup 1992.

Debut

Campbell was selected for the Zimbabwe National Team when he was still at school, thus becoming the youngest play to play for the national side.

He came very close to making a half century in the first innings of his test debut against India in 1992, as he scored a 45 in a match that ended as a draw.

His ODI debut against West Indies was disappointing as he scored just a run in a match against West Indies, that the team lost.

Rise to Glory

Campbell did struggle throughout his initial years but did manage to cement his spot in the national team.

On the 1993–94 Pakistan tour he scored three half centuries against a much stronger Pakistani opposition.

In 1994, he came very close to making a test century against Sri Lanka as he scored a 99. All in all he has made 2 centuries in tests and 7 in One Day Internationals.

Low Points

He had a hard time in his early years, as he got out, at many occasions in single digits.

The domestic and political conditions in Zimbabwe made it difficult for many cricketers, including him to get adequate facilities and exposure.

He has also been accused of racism by fellow cricketers.

Club Career

Campbell played first class cricket for more than a decade from the 1990/91 season to the 2002/03 season.

He scored 11 centuries and 38 half centuries with an average of more than 33 in 129 first class matches.

He even managed to take 22 wickets and established himself as a bowler who could take the occasional important wicket that other conventional bowlers failed to do.

Captaincy

Campbell became the captain of Zimbabwe in 1996. He led the team to a series victory against a stronger Pakistani side in 1998–99, and to the Super Six stage of the 1999 World Cup.

After just 3 years of being in charge he stood down from the position for what he stated as 'personal reasons'.

Records

Campbell became the youngest cricketer in Zimbabwe to score a first class century and to get selected for the National side. He also became the first person to score a century in the inaugural match of the ICC Champions Trophy 1998 (then the Knockout trophy).

Retirement

Campbell retired from international cricket after the ICC World Cup 2003. He is currently an international commentator and cricket analyst.

Alistair was selected Chairman of their Cricket Committee,. He is also the chief selector of the Zimbabwean national cricket team.

In 2015, he was appointed as the managing director of Zimbabwe Cricket, but resigned soon due to accusastions of racism.