Zimbabwe to take on South African domestic team

Posted by brmtaylor.com admin on November 21, 2007

As part of their preparation to return to Test cricket, and also a warm up for the upcoming ODI series against West Indies, Zimbabwe are going to play a 4-day First Class match against a South African franchise team - who, has not yet been decided. The game will be played at the ground in Benoni.

Originally, the squad were going to spend a week training in Bulawayo, but with the possibly of a game against strong competition in South Africa, that idea has been put aside.

Sean Williams, Chris Mpofu and Keith Dabengwa, three likely starters, were left at home to ensure they don't trigger minor injuries they have been struggling with in recent times. Sean Williams has failed to recover from a series of bad migraines. Chris Mpofu is struggling with side strain, and Keith Dabengwa has a groin injury.

Notable omissions from the squad are Terry Duffin, Ray Price, Graeme Cremer and Regis Chakabva. Duffin and Price failed to get visas in time for the tour, despite being initially picked in the squad. Strangely, Tafadzwa Kamungozi got the spinners spot, despite Graeme Cremer taking 10 wickets in a match against the Northerns last weekend. Tino Mawoyo got Duffin's place in the team, while Regis Chakabva, Zimbabwe Provinces highest run scorer in the SAA Provincial series, missed out on a place.

Zimbabwe squad: Prosper Utseya (captain), Gary Brent (vice captain), Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Tawanda Mupariwa, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu, Brendan Taylor

Zimbabwe first XI (probable): Sibanda, Taylor, Chibhabha, Taibu, Masakadza, Matsikenyeri, Chigumbura, Brent, Utseya, Maruma, Mupariwa