|
|
|
| March 14, 2007 | Wednesday | Safar 24, 1428 |
Pen-sketches of Zimbabwe World Cup squad
BRIDGETOWN, March 13: Pen-pix of Zimbabwe's World Cup squad:
Prosper Utseya (RHB/OB/captain). Age: 21. ODI appearances: 59. Debut: v Sri Lanka, Bulawayo, April 20, 2004. An off-spinner of promise, he was suddenly brought into the national team when the rebels withdrew and then made captain to replace Tatenda Taibu. Faces a tough task to rally his troops at the World Cup.
Career: 326 runs (ave 10.18), HS 31, 2 catches, 37 wkts (ave 54.29), BB 3-35.
Gary Brent (RHB/RM). Age: 31. ODI appearances: 57. Debut: v Pakistan, Quetta, Oct 30, 1996. One of the more experienced Zimbabwe bowlers who has not justified his potential and hence had an on-off career. Bowls a useful inswinger and slower ball.
Career: 260 runs (ave 10.00), HS 24, 1 catch, 64 wkts (ave 34.25), BB 4-22, 4w 3.
Chamu Chibhabha (RHB/RM). Age: 20. ODI appearances: 22. Debut: v New Zealand, Harare, Aug 31, 2005. An all-rounder who bats up the order and bowls useful seamers. A product of Zimbabwe's development programme.Career: 609 runs (ave 27.68), HS 67, 4 50s, 8 catches, 4 wkts (ave 72.25), BB 2-39.
Elton Chigumbura (RHB/RM). Age: 20. ODI appearances: 53. Debut: v Sri Lanka, Bulawayo, April 20, 2004. Another player who was fast-tracked into the national side when the rebels withdrew. An aggressive batsman and the team's fastest bowler.
Career: 1059 runs (ave 25.21), HS 77*, 6 50s, 2 catches, 15 wkts (ave 56.00), BB 3-37.
Keith Dabengwa (LHB, SLA). Age: 26. ODI appearances: 12. Debut: v India, Harare, Sept 4, 2005. A hard-working left-handed batsman who bowls left-arm spin, he is a product of the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy.Career: 146 runs (ave 24.33), HS 32, 1 catch, 7 wkts (ave 38.28), BB 3-19.
Terry Duffin (LHB/RM). Age: 24. ODI appearances: 22. Debut: v Kenya, Bulawayo, Feb 25 2006. A solid and stocky opener, the left-hander also hails from the Academy. Played for the under-19 sides till 2000.
Career: 534 runs (ave 24.27), HS 88, 3 50s, 1 catch.
Anthony Ireland (RHB/RM). Age: 22. ODI appearances: 25. Debut: v New Zealand, Bulawayo, Aug 24 2005. A tall all-rounder from the Midlands area of Zimbabwe, he is a promising seamer and useful batsman. Will spearhead the attack.
Career: 30 runs (ave 3.75), HS 8*, 1 catch, 37 wkts (ave 29.10), BB 3-41.
Friday Kasteni (LHB/WK). Age: 18. ODI appearances: 1. Debut: v Bangladesh, Harare, Feb 10 2007. The reserve wicket-keeper and left-hand batsman is a surprise inclusion for the World Cup after just one limited-overs appearance when he scored nine.
Career: 9 runs (ave 9.00), HS 9.
Stuart Matsikenyeri (RHB/OB). Age: 23. ODI appearances: 60. Debut: v Pakistan, Bulawayo, Nov 23, 2002. Expected to lead the batting despite a modest record. Also bowls useful off-spin.
Career: 1046 runs (Ave 19.37), HS 89, 2 50s, 18 catches, 13 wkts (ave 50.38), BB 2-33.
Christopher Mpofu (RHB/RM). Age: 21. ODI appearances: 18. Debut: v England, Harare, Nov 28, 2004. The tall seam bowler could be a threat only if he became a bit more consistent.
Career: 17 runs (ave 3.40), HS 4, 2 catches, 21 wkts (ave 33.71), BB 4-42, 4w 1.
Tawanda Mupariwa (RHB/RM). Age: 21. ODI appearances: 19. Debut: v Sri Lanka, Harare, April 27, 2004. A seam bowler of promise, he now gets a chance to cement his place in the team after an indifferent start. Was a wicket-keeper in his younger days but took to seam bowling on the advice of his coaches.
Career: 149 runs (ave 13.54), HS 33, 2 catches, 33 wkts (ave 26.21), BB 4-61, 4w 1.
Ed Rainsford (RHB/RMF). Age: 22. ODI appearances: 23. Debut: v Australia, Harare, May 29, 2004. A tall fast bowler, he is another one make the national team following the withdrawal of top players. He has developed a good yorker. Recovered recently from a crippling stress fracture in the back.
Career: 37 runs (ave 5.28), HS 9*, 4 catches, 23 wkts (ave 38.21), BB 3-16.
Vusi Sibanda (RHB/RM). Age: 23. ODI appearances: 46. Debut: v West Indies, Bulawayo, Nov 22 2003. The team's batting revolves around the opening batsman, who missed the Champions Trophy in India to play grade cricket in Australia.
Career: 1009 runs (ave 23.46), HS 116, 1 100, 7 50s, 18 catches, 2 wkts (ave 43.50), BB 1-12.
Brendan Taylor (RHB/OB/WK). Age: 21. ODI appearances: 60. Debut: v Sri Lanka, Bulawayo, April 20, 2004. The real all-rounder, he bats, bowls and also keeps wickets. He will be Zimbabwe's first-choice wicket-keeper and provide the thrust to the batting in the middle overs.
Career: 1514 runs (ave 28.03), HS 98, 10 50s, 46 dismissals (35 catches and 11 stumpings), 8 wkts (ave 28.00), BB 3-54.
Sean Williams (LHB/SLA). Age: 20. ODI appearances: 13. Debut: v South Africa, Johannesburg, Feb 25, 2005. He is widely regarded as one of Zimbabwe's most promising cricketers, a left-handed top order batsman and a useful left-arm spinner.
Career: 261 runs (ave 23.72), HS 68, 3 50s, 7 catches, 5 wkts (ave 61.60), BB 3-23.—AFP
|
|
|
|
