Zimbabwe: Full Strength Squad for Aussie, SA Tour

Kevin Mapasure

23 June 2011

Zimbabwe is largely expected to stick with its World Cup squad in the triangular series against Australia and South Africa “A”, sides with only Kyle Jarvis and opening batsman Hamilton Masakadza expected to gatecrash.

The selectors have kept the fans, players and coaches guessing over the squads for that series and the two four-day matches against Australia “A”, but are expected to name them after today’s Zimbabwe Cricket board meeting.

In the tri-series Zimbabwe will be expected to employ a spin-based bowling attack while in the four-day matches they will employ more seamers as they prepare for their Test match against Bangladesh.

But with key figure Graeme Cremer going under the knife, Jarvis is expected to take his place while Masakadza will reclaim opening slot after the failed experiment of employing Charles Coventry in that position.

Zimbabwe has been doing more of the Test aimed routines as they gear up for their return to the elite club hoping to make an instant impact.

Younger seam bowlers, who are part of the squad of 32 that was preparing for the upcoming tours, are largely expected to make a shout for places in the four-day squad.

Tendai Chatara and Keegan Meth are both expected to make it into the four-day squad as the selectors look to add pace the attack.

Having done so well in the limited overs, Chris Mpofu will be expected to lead the attack.

National team batting coach Grant Flower said the main worry after the World Cup is the batting but the players are going about their paces to try and improve on consistency.

“The main worry has been the batting and it is more to do with consistency, so we have been working on that and we have also concentrated on how to bat for long periods since we are preparing for the Tests, said Flower. “It’s a process and work is continuing but I think there is an improvement and come the time we play Bangladesh they will be performing better.”

The former Zimbabwe top-order batsman said that the batsmen also needed to improve on adapting to conditions if they are to excel in Tests.

Flower said it was important for the team to do well in the upcoming series to set themselves up for the Bangladesh home tour.

“It would be nice to win it but what we are aiming for is to compete and play some hard cricket; we will have to play very well.Australia has about five Test cricketers in their squad.”

Fringe players like Tino Mawoyo are likely to get slots in the four-day game squad, while Regis Chakabva might have booked himself a place after knocking a ton in a practice match this week.

Apart from these, the usual suspects such as Brendan Taylor, Tatenda Taibu, Craig Ervine and Raymond Price, among others, are expected to take their places.

While the other nations will predominantly be using their fringe players, Zimbabwe will be looking at picking its best teams as their rehabilitation reaches its final stage.

AllAfrica – All the Time