Duffin sacked as Zimbabwe captain

Terry Duffin: welcome home ... oh, and you're fired © Cricinfo Ltd Enlarge

Zimbabwe's selectors have sacked Terry Duffin and appointed Prosper Utseya as captain for the five-match one-day series against Bangladesh which starts at Harare Sports Club on Saturday. Utseya has only been appointed on an interim basis pending further discussions among the selectors.

Duffin only arrived in Zimbabwe on Thursday from England where he is playing club cricket for Winsley in Wiltshire, and there was no indication of what awaited him. His dismissal would seem to hint at a behind-the-scenes power struggle between some selectors and others closer to the team. The official reason for the decision was for Duffin's leadership in the Caribbean.

The selectors named a 17-man squad, including seam bowlers Ed Rainsford and Anthony Ireland, who also arrived from England where they have been playing. Until recently, Rainsford had indicated he was not going to return for the series. Tafadzwa Mufambisi and Friday Kasteni, both uncapped, were included but were not expected to play in any of the games.

There was no place for Sean Williams, the Under-19 captain, even though he was recently persuaded to make himself available by Kevin Curran, the coach.

Zimbabwe squad Prosper Utseya (capt), Vusi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Piet Rinke, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Terrence Duffin, Ed Rainsford, Tawanda Mupariwa, Blessing Mahwire, Anthony Ireland, Ryan Higgins, Elton Chigumbura, Greg Strydom, Friday Kasteni, Tafadzwa Mufambisi.