November 29, 2007	Thursday	Ziqa’ad 18, 1428

HARARE, Nov 28: A 15-man West Indies cricket squad arrived here late Tuesday to take on a rejuvenated Zimbabwe in a five-match One-day International tour ahead of more serious matters in neighbouring South Africa.

In South Africa, they will play three Tests and five ODIs over Christmas and the New Year.

After long flight delays on their complicated route from the Caribbean, the tourists’ scheduled afternoon practice session on Wednesday was threatened by stormy weather, and rain was also forecast for the first match on Friday.

The West Indies have always done well against Zimbabwe, winning 25 of their 32 previous encounters, including against Zimbabwe teams much stronger than the current one.

Overall, Zimbabwe have lost 73 of 106 50-overs matches played against other full ICC members, but they have previously beaten Australia in a World Cup 50-overs match and in September they shocked Ricky Ponting’s team with a victory in a Twenty20 World Championship clash.

Zimbabwe have just returned from a tournament against strong South African domestic teams, winning the last match by 10 wickets, in which captain all-rounder Prosper Utseya figured with 115 not out and Hamilton Mazakadsa made 85.

Mazakadsa hit a maiden Test century against the West Indies here on his debut at the age of 18, and the more senior players from the Caribbean will remember him well.

Zimbabwe will also rely heavily for runs from unorthodox Brendan Taylor and Elton Chigumbura, and also former captain Tatenda Taubu.

West Indies squad: Brenton Parchment, Chris Gayle (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsigh Deonarine, Fidel Edwards, Runako Morton, Rawl Lewis, Darren Powell, Danesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.—AFP