Joseph retained as West Indies A captain

Sylvester Joseph has played five Tests and 13 ODIs for West Indies © AFP

Sylvester Joseph, the West Indies middle-order batsman, will continue as A team captain for a yet-to-be confirmed four-week tour of Zimbabwe.

Caribbean Media Corporation reported that Joseph, currently in England with the senior side, got the approval of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) during an executive meeting in Trinidad last Sunday.

Narsingh Deonarine got the nod for vice-captain ahead of Ryan Hinds, who led Barbados to the 2007 Carib Beer Cup first-class title in his second season as captain, after it was reported that the WICB was less than satisfied with his behaviour during the domestic final. It is believed that Hinds will be named in a squad of 14 for the three four-day and two limited-overs tour of Zimbabwe.

Lyndel Wright, the former Jamaican allrounder, has been appointed manager of the West Indies A side. Previously he was manager on a tour to Sri Lanka in 2005. Former Trinidad & Tobago and West Indies wicket keeper David Williams will be coach of the side.

Tony Deyal, the WICB corporate communications manager, confirmed in an interview with CMC Sports that the WICB was in discussions with the CARICOM secretariat for guidance on whether the tour should go ahead. The Robert Mugabe-headed government has been internationally criticised for corruption, suppression of political opposition, mishandling of land reform, economic mismanagement, and the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe.

WIPA, the players' association, have yet to be consulted regarding the tour and there is also concern among officials there about the political aspects of the trip.

Australia recently refused to tour Zimbabwe on political grounds.