Zimbabwe names provisional squad for cricket world cup

By Tichaona Sibanda
9 January 2007

Zimbabwe Cricket on Tuesday announced a provisional 30-man squad for the International Cricket Council’s World Cup to be held in the West Indies in March.

Our correspondent in Harare said there were no surprises but the provisional squad includes six uncapped players, while former captains Heath Streak and Tatenda Taibu who had been expected to return for the World Cup are not in the picture.

Charles Coventry, who had a fallout with coach Kevin Curran during the tour of the West Indies and vowed not to play for Zimbabwe again, was included in the preliminary squad.

Prosper Utseya is expected to captain Zimbabwe. Batsmen Terry Duffin and Vusi Sibanda, who missed last month’s tour of Bangladesh, are in the squad as is pacer Tawanda Mupariwa.

The squad will by trimmed to 15 by in mid February after the country’s four-match One day international series against Bangladesh in Harare.

However, Gary Brent, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Justice Chibhabha, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Mluleki Nkala, Ed Rainsford and Sean Williams are expected to be part of the final World Cup squad.

Zimbabwe are in Group D alongside hosts West Indies, Pakistan and Ireland.

Zimbabwe preliminary squad:

Prosper Utseya, Gary Brent, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Charles Coventry, Graeme Cremer, Keith Dabengwa, Terrence Duffin, Trevor Garwe, Ryan Higgins, Tinashe Hove, Anthony Ireland, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Friday Kasteni, Blessing Mahwire, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Christopher Mpofu, Tafadzwa Mufambisi, Tawanda Mupariwa, Mluleki Nkala, Edward Rainsford, Piet Rinke, Vusumuzi Sibanda, Gregory Strydom, Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams