Harare: Zimbabwe, one of the 14 countries competing in the World Cup next February and March, named a provisional 30-man squad on Friday.
The announcement comes just before a series of three One-day Internationals against another World Cup hopeful Kenya. Performances in these matches will play a crucial part in settling on the final squad of 15 to be named by December 31 in terms of the International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations. The main body of the squad includes captain Heath Streak, batsmen Andy and Grant Flower, Alistair Campbell, Andy Blignaut, wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu, Guy Whittall and Henry Olonga. The remaining places are considered wide open. Nearly all of the other 22 have had Test and/or international experience. Zimbabwe has been plagued with injuries in recent weeks, mainly to bowlers. Streak, its main seam bowler, was badly injured in a rickshaw incident at Colombo earlier this year and is in a rehabilitation programme. He is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup. The absence of other bowlers with injuries, added to indifferent form by batsmen, resulted in a drubbing by Pakistan in November's two Tests and a series of five internationals. Much will depend on how fitness levels can be retained in the next weeks. Zimbabwe is one of the three countries hosting the World Cup. But that will depend on the report of the ICC, due to be published early next week, which will state on behalf of six countries due to play here whether it is sufficiently safe for players and officials. Zimbabwe is due to play England, Australia, Holland, Namibia, Pakistan and India in one of the two section play-offs. Zimbabwe probables for World Cup: Heath Streak (captain), Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Alistair Campbell, Barney Rogers, Hamilton Masakadza, Guy Whittall, Andy Blignaut, Brian Murphy, Douglas Hondo, Dion Ebrahim, Tatenda Taibu, Travis Friend, Sean Ervine, Mluleki Nkala, Craig Wishart, Craig Evans, Stuart Matsikenyere, Henry Olonga, Douglas Marillier, Richards Sims, Guy Croxford, Charles Coventry, Blessing Mahwire, Mark vermeulen, Waddington Mwayenga, Stuart Carlisle, Gavin Rennie, Gavin Ewing and Gary Brent.
Tags: ricket, harare, zimbabwe, world cup, kenya, international cricket council, icc, england, australia, holland, namibia, pakistan, india, heath streak, andy flower, grant flower, alistair campbell, barney rogers, hamilton masakadza, guy whittall, andy blignaut, brian murphy, douglas hondo, dion ebrahim, tatenda taibu, travis friend, sean ervine, mluleki nkala, craig wishart, craig evans, stuart matsikenyere, henry olonga, douglas marillier, richards sims, guy croxford, charles coventry, blessing mahwire, mark vermeulen, waddington mwayenga, stuart carlisle, gavin rennie, gavin ewing, gary brent.
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