ZIMBABWE Cricket team selectors’ patience with off-form all-rounder Elton Chigumbura has finally run out after the former captain lost his place in the squad ahead of the team’s tour of the West Indies next month. SPORTS REPORTER
The selectors announced a 24-men training squad omitting the hard-hitting batter who lost his place for the first time in a long time.
Chigumbura’s presence in the national side had been the subject of a lot of debate in recent months due to his poor form in national colours with both bat and ball.
His omission from the training squad should come as a clear indication that Zimbabwe Cricket’s selection panel led by Givemore Makoni has lost patience with the aggressive batsman.
The squad released yesterday also saw the return of middle order batsman Sean Williams.
The gifted left-handed batsman, who is also a useful left-arm spin bowler, made a return to domestic cricket late last year after quitting the game after last year’s Cricket World Cup in the Indian subcontinent in protest over late and non-payment of match fees.
Although Williams bounced back into the squad, there was no place in the side for his teammate at Matabeleland Tuskers, Charles Coventry, batsman Matsikenyeri and wicketkeeper batsman Forster Mtizwa.
No major changes are expected in the top order batting department with key players such as skipper Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza, Vusi Sibanda and Tino Mawoyo all retaining their places in the side.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Rejuvenated pace bowler Tinashe Panyangara, who has flourished once again under the guidance respected coach Dave Houghton at Southern Rocks, has been rewarded for his good form in domestic competitions with a call up to the national side’s training squad.
Panyangara should bring more competition to pace department which also boasts seasoned players such as Christopher Mpofu, Kyle Jarvis, returning Edward Rainsford, Tendai Chatara and Keegan Meth.
Mashonaland Eagles all-rounder Nathan Waller and former Under-19 bowler Cuthbert Musoko are the new faces in the squad.
Zimbabwe will play the West Indies in three one-day international matches, two Twenty20 Internationals and two Test matches during the tour which runs from February 20 to March 20.
The matches will be played in Grenada, Antigua, Barbados and Dominica.
The tour is expected to be head coach Alan Butcher’s final assignment with the national side before the Englishman’s contract expires.
It will also be the national team’s first full tour in over a year following the disastrous tour of New Zealand last year, where the hosts completed a clean-sweep across all three formats of the game.
Zimbabwe squad: Brendan Taylor (Captain), Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Mike Chinouya, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Keegan Meth, Christopher Mpofu, Natsai Mushangwe, Cuthbert Musoko, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Tinashe Panyangara, Raymond Price, Edward Rainsford, Vusumuzi Sibanda, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Nathan Waller and Sean Williams.
