Chigumbura aims to curb his aggression

Elton Chigumbura has admitted that emulating allrounders like Chris Cairns and Andrew Flintoff doesn't pay off in a struggling side like Zimbabwe. "I have always been a naturally aggressive player, though I have often been inhibited by a bad team situation," he told AFP. "But I try not to be just a slogger. I use technique instead to get the ball back mainly over the bowler or the off-side field.

Chigumbura has a reputation of being a big hitter - in his last ODI, against Bangladesh at Harare, Chigumbura cracked seven sixes - but realised the need to curb his enthusiasm a while ago. "I used to just lash out, but I have now learned that it doesn't pay. I would get out early too often and that was bad for the team, especially as I usually bat a bit lower down."

Chigumbura - whose name in his local Shona language means one who can be hurt but never complains - hoped a strong performance at the World Cup will help him secure a county cricket deal in England. "But I would always want to be available for Zimbabwe. I also want to develop into a good allrounder.There's no doubt that we are underdogs in the West Indies but that could actually work to our advantage. I really hope that we can through the early rounds, mainly for the team but also because I might get the chance to take on the Aussies again."

Zimbabwe are in Group D in the World Cup, with hosts West Indies, Pakistan and Ireland. They kick off their campaign against Ireland on March 15 at Sabina Park in Jamaica.