Zimbabwe ponder changes to squad

Zimbabwe's selectors are reported to be considering making last-minute changes to their squad in South Africa in the light of unimpressive performances in the warm-up matches.

It is believed that the selectors are in a dilemma whether to draft in top-order batsman Dion Ebrahim and legspinner Graeme Cremer for the two Tests in South Africa, and also retain Sean Williams, who was only picked in the one-day squad. Calling up Terrence Duffin is also being considered.

Originally Ebrahim and Cremer were suppose to join the rest of the team for the Tests while Williams and his Matabeleland teammate Gavin Ewing were to return home after the ODIs. However, things have changed since Duffin scored three half-centuries in four innings for Zimbabwe A against Bangladesh A in the two four-day matches at Queens Sports Club.

Ebrahim's inclusion would be more surprising as he has been in moderate form, and although he made a half-century in the first Test, his other three innings have produced only 32 runs. Williams impressed with an unbeaten 82 in the rain-affected drawn against Easterns/Northerns, and he is a competent spinner.

A source close to the selectors said the thinking was that it did not make sense to send players who are not performing and leave out players who were proving themselves.