The Sunday Mail
Débutantes, returnees, surprise inclusions, the obvious and deserving. That’s your Zimbabwe Squad for the 2015 International Cricket Council World Cup.
In exactly 33 days, Zimbabwe will play neighbours South Africa in their first match of the competition and The Sunday Mail Sport looks at some of the talking points on the 15 men entrusted with the job of representing the country.
Eleven men will obviously take to the field.
Elton Chigumbura
The 28-year-old will be leading the country at a World Cup for the second time after also captaining at the 2011 edition in the sub-continent.
Chicken, as his team-mates call him, will be expected to lead by example, something expected of every captain.
A good hitter of the ball, a match winner on his day, Chigumbura will, however, need to string consistent performances.
The coming in of former Zimbabwe international Douglas Hondo has revived Chigumbura’s bowling, which is a positive for the team.
Brendan Taylor
Arguably the team’s finest player, he is experienced and like Chigumbura he will be expected to lead the team with match-winning performances.
Solomon Mire
He needed one series to impress. He did that. The dreadlocked all-rounder would be crucial to the team, given his familiarity with the Trans-Tasmanian conditions.
Chamu Chibhabha
The opener confessed of “sleepless nights” ahead of the on-going Canada tour. He had nightmares of missing out on the final 15.
He made it, thanks to a career best List A 155 in the series opener. Chamu would, however, need to do justice to his inclusion, but for now he can afford peaceful nights.
Hamilton Masakadza
Better late than never.
Zimbabwe’s longest-serving cricketer “Hammy” has finally made the World Cup squad.
He needs no motivation.
Sean Williams
Some call him a “bad boy”, but none doubt his talents with the willow in his hands. Willow, as Sean is called by his team-mates, is an experienced batter whose left arm orthodox will also come in handy in the middle overs.
Prosper Utseya
Obviously the surprise inclusion, major talking point and hence the man who will be under the spotlight at the World Cup.
With a re-worked bowling action “Chirandu” has shown good control in the matches he has played so far.
He will do the team and himself a huge favour if he bowls frugal spells at the World Cup against some of the attacking players in the game.
Tinashe Panyangara and Tendai Panyangara
A bowling pair that complements each other well, they are not Tim Southee and Trent Boult, but Chokie and Chats are good leaders of the bowling attack who will become better with Hondo as their coach.
Squad:
Elton Chigumbura , Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Solomon Mire, Tawanda Mupariwa, Tinashe Panyangara, Brendan Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Sean Williams.
