Rackemann to coach Zimbabwe

Former Test paceman Carl Rackemann Thurday joined the Australian cricket coaching exodus when he was appointed to guide Zimbabwe for the next year.

Rackemann's appointment is expected to meet with full approval from the players who have worked with the big Queenslander since he was signed as national bowling coach last December.

The 40-year-old joins his former state coach John Buchanan (Australia) and Dav Whatmore (Sri Lanka) as Australians in charge of Test-playing teams while Geoff Marsh is on the short list for the vacant Indian coaching position.

Rackemann said Australia's rise to the top of world cricket had sparked interest in their coaching pool, which also includes former New Zealand coach Steve Rixon.

"Everyone recognises the success of the Australia team is not just an accident and I think other cricketing countries want to tap into that formula," he said Thursday.

Rackemann replaces Dave Houghton as permanent coach on a renewable contract extending until August 31 2001. He will return home this summer when Zimbabwe arrives in Australia for a triangular one-day series featuring the West Indies.

Zimbabwe already have wins over the West Indies this year and continued their one-day success with a series win over New Zealand last week.

Rackemann wants to maintain that success while lifting Zimbabwe's fledgling Test profile.

"I think most people recognise Zimbabwe as serious operators in the one-day game but our record is not as good in Test cricket," he said.

"Consistency is a big issue there and it's something we want to improve."

Rackemann played 12 Tests during a long career which was capped by Queensland's historic Sheffield Shield victory in 1994/95, which led to his late inclusion in the national squad touring the Caribbean.

Mail Cricket Editor