of a prominent team of former international cricket players being assembled in England to make a whirlwind tour in April.

The squad, including several ex-Test players, will be skippered by former West Indies batsman Alvin Kallicharan.

Gibbons was contacted early this week and asked if he was willing to take on the vice-captaincy.

"I was surprised when asked, and naturally I accepted it without any hesitation. The offer has come at a time of my life when I was somewhat down because of a few personal matters and it really helped to give me a lift during this bad patch,'' said Gibbons.

"It was good news and a great honour. I always intended to tour with the boys anyway, but only as an ordinary player. Now to have been asked to play this role is a big thrill. I consider it to be an achievement to be holding down a position among such esteemed company.'' The tour is scheduled to leave England for Sri Lanka on April 22 and they will then travel to India, New Zealand and Melbourne, Australia. The trip will last for five weeks.