Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Lawrence Moyo
3 October 2008
Harare — PROSPER Utseya will lead a largely predictable 15-member national cricket squad for the tour of Canada and Kenya which begins next week.
Zimbabwe leave Harare for Toronto, Canada on Tuesday to take part in a four-nation Twenty20 tournament which runs between October 10-13 and also involves Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the hosts.
From Toronto, Zimbabwe will head to Nairobi, Kenya where they will take part in a triangular one-day series which also features Ireland and runs up to October 23.
Walter Chawaguta's side entered the Toronto tournament as a late replacement for the West Indies who pulled out after failing to agree on the schedule with the organisers.
The Windies had asked for the tournament to be postponed by two weeks but their request was turned down.
Zimbabwe will be without three experienced players - Vusi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams for an assortment of reasons.
However, they still have vast experience in Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu, Elton Chigumbura and Raymond Price while Chamu Chibhabha, Tawanda Mupariwa and Keith Dabengwa have the talent to make Zimbabwe a competitive side in both events.
The only surprise inclusion in the squad is unheralded Cephas Zhuwao who is yet to assert himself on the domestic cricket scene.
Last week Chawaguta told our Bulawayo bureau that he was confident of beating Canada in the Twenty20 tournament.
"In Canada, I have no doubt we will beat Canada but we would love to beat one of the top sides Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
"We have posted a shock victory in Twenty20 cricket before and it is possible to beat Pakistan or Sri Lanka. I will be happy to win two of the three matches," said Chawaguta.
He was an assistant coach when Zimbabwe beat Australia during the opening round of the World Twenty20 tournament in South Africa last year.
Squad
Prosper Utseya (captain), Regis Chakabva, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Keith Dabengwa, Tymcen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Chris Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Taurai Muzarabani, Raymond Price, Tatenda Taibu and Cephas Zhuwao.
Coach: Walter Chawaguta
Manager: Givemore Makoni
Analyst: Anesu Kafesu
Fitness: Lorraine Chivandire
Physiotherapist: Amato Machikicho
Selector on tour: Kenyon Ziehl
Fixtures:
10 October: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe
11 October: Canada v Zimbabwe
12 October: Pakistan v Zimbabwe
17 October: Ireland v Zimbabwe
19 October: Kenya v Zimbabwe
21 October: Ireland v Zimbabwe
23 October: Kenya v Zimbabwe
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