Zimbabwe in short tour of South Africa by Peter Martin

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Event:

Zimbabwe in South Africa 2006/07

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DateLine: 12th September 2006

 

The Zimbabwe cricket team led by off-spinner Prosper Utseya arrived in South Africa on Monday to take on the might of the South African team in three limited-overs internationals.

 

The squad of 14 contains only one or two players with much experience.

 

Utseya, 21, has already played 44 ODIs, and boasts an economical vowling rate of 3.79 runs per over, but might find this figure moving upwards as he faces free-scoring batsmen of the calibre of Jacques Kallis, back from injury and captaining the Proteas, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher.

 

One player in the Zimbabwe team, leg-spinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi, 19, has yet to make his first-class debut, and his selection must be considered a huge gamble as he has also been selected for the 2006 Champions Trophy in India later this year.

 

The average age of the squad is 21.

 

The tourists play a one-day match against the Eagles in Kimberley on Wednesday, September 13, then the first ODI on Friday in Bloemfontein, the second ODI on Sunday, September 17th in East London and the third ODI in Potchefstroom on September 20.

 

Zimbabwe: Prosper Utseya (capt), Terrence Duffin, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Anthony Ireland, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tafadzwa Mufambisi, Edward Rainsford, Piet Rinke, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor. Coach: Kevin Curran.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2006 Peter Martin)