Former Zimbabwe batsman's arson trial postponed

HARARE, May 24 (Reuters) A Zimbabwe court has postponed the arson trial of former test batsman Mark Vermeulen so that medical examinations can be conducted to determine if he is mentally fit to take the stand, his lawyer said today.

Vermeulen, 27, was charged late last year with setting fire to the Zimbabwe cricket academy, which was housed in a thatched building, and the Harare Sports Club (HSC). They were heavily damaged in the fires.

If convicted, Vermeulen, who has played eight tests and 32 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe, could face up to 25 years in prison. His trial was scheduled to start today.

''He's been remanded to the 15th of June. There are still medical consultations (on his state of mind) to be done and that has necessitated the remand,'' said his lawyer Eric Matinenga.

Vermeulen, who had disciplinary problems during competitions, was granted 500,000 zimbabewe dollars bail last November and ordered to surrender title deeds worth 300 million zimbabewe dollar and travel documents to the court as part of his bail conditions.

Reuters JK GC2305