WORLD CUP SQUADS: Group A - Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe World Cup Squad

Batsmen

Brendan Taylor - 24 - Right Hand Opening Batsman - Wicket Keeper

Regis Chakabva - 23 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman - Wicket Keeper

Craig Ervine - 25 - Left Hand Top Order Batsman

Sean Williams - 24 - Left Hand Top/Middle Order Batsman

Charles Coventry - 27 - Right Hand Opening/Middle Order Batsman - Wicket Keeper

Greg Lamb - 29 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Tatenda Taibu - 27 - Wicket Keeper - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Terry Duffin* - 28 - Left Hand Opening Batsman

All-Rounders

Elton Chigumbura (Captain) - 24 - Right Arm Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Medium Bowler

Spin Bowlers

Prosper Utseya - 25 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Graeme Cremer - 24 - Right Arm Leg Spin Bowler

Ray Price - 34 - Left Arm Orthodox Bowler

Fast Bowlers

Christopher Mpofu - 25 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Shingirai Masakadza - 24 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Tinashe Panyangara*** - 25 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

*Edit: Duffin replaces Tino Mawoyo** who was withdrawn due to an abdominal injury.
**Edit: Mawoyo replaces original squad member Sean Ervine who was withdrawn due to personal circumstances.
***Edit: Panyangara replaces original squad member Ed Rainsford who was withdrawn due to an ankle injury.

The World Cup has become Zimbabwe's vital quadrennial showpiece to show their might, now that they no longer play Test Cricket. 2007 was not a happy campaign for the men in red, comfortable victory against World Cup debutants Ireland looked assured before a monumental choke resulted in a thrilling tie. This was the only point Zimbabwe garnered from their three matches, finishing bottom of what many considered to be the weakest group. 

On paper there is no real indication that 2011 will be any better. Although the very public spats with team management have subsided, there is still the sneaking suspicion that the best eleven cricketers in Zimbabwe rarely make it out on the field. Certainly venerable dictator and slaughterer of many Robert Mugabe is never likely to release his stranglehold on the team's operational functions. Nevertheless there is promise in the squad. The experience of Taibu, Chigumbura, Utseya and Mpofu are key to holding the unit together. 

The biggest surprise in the squad is the inclusion of Hampshire all-rounder Sean Ervine, who hasn't represented Zimbabwe since a 2004 political dispute had apparently ended his international career. In turn the major surprise when it comes to omissions is experienced opener Hamilton Masakadza. His performances have been scratchy in recent times, but the fact that no specialist opener as been named instead of Masakadsa raises eyebrows. Who will partner Brendan Taylor at the top of the order is any one's guess, but seems to be out of unproven No.3 Regis Chakabva, out of favour former opener Charles Coventry, and the trusty Tatenda Taibu, who is not a natural opener. (Edit: Sean Ervine's withdrawal has opened a spot for a second specialist opener, Tino Mawoyo, who may be a potential option.) The other question mark over Zimbabwe's final configuration is whether they will play all three front line spinners with Mpofu as the single quick, as has been rumoured. This would surely be unwise. Even in subcontinent conditions at least two quicks are needed, and the third spinner's role can be covered by part-timers Lamb and Williams.

Prediction

There's little money on Zimbabwe to achieve anything of note in the tournament. While I also don't have any great expectations, as ever Group A's friendliness presents opportunities. Zimbabwe should take care of Kenya and Canada (Ireland and The Netherlands would be tougher prospects), and the nature oft he tournament means just one other upset could get Zimbabwe into the quarter finals. This would be a monumental achievement though, expect them to finish 5th in the group.

Hosford's XI

Taylor, Coventry, Chakabva, C.Ervine, Williams, Taibu, Chigumbura (C), Utseya, Price, Masakadaza, Mpofu