Zimbabwe call up Rainsford and Cremer

Less than a week after arriving in Bangladesh, Zimbabwe's selectors have drafted two more players into the squad, calling up fast bowler Ed Rainsford and legspinner Graeme Cremer. The pair are expected to arrive in Dhaka on Friday.

Rainsford was left out of the original squad that left last week after he cracked his thumb taking a catch during a practice match. Sources say the doctor's note stated that he was going to be fit two hours before the team's scheduled flight, prompting the selectors to leave him out.

It appears Rainsford, the only genuine quick bowler among the current crop of Zimbabwe bowlers has high chances of playing in the five-match one-day series but will miss the series opener scheduled for Khulna on Thursday. His return puts pressure on Anthony Ireland and Christopher Mpofu who are likely to take the new ball for Zimbabwe. Ireland did duty with Rainsford during the Champions Trophy in India while Mpofu was recently handed an international recall after more than a year on the sidelines.

Cremer, a legspinner with an ability to bowl long spells, has been called up for the additional two first-class matches that have been added to Zimbabwe's tour.