Depleted Zimbabwe face tough examination

Zimbabwe Under-19 coach Kevin Curran has got his excuses in early, warning not to expect too much of a depleted side as they head off for three-ODI series in Bangladesh.

His squad is missing six players who are unavailable because of end-of-year exams, and they face a Bangladesh side boosted by a 5-2 series win over England.

"It's going to be tough, some of the players in the side have not even left the country before," Curran told the Independent. "We're going to face a lot of spin on turning wickets. But if the boys put to practice what we have been doing in training we will compete.

"A lot of good players are not touring. It's an opportunity for the other players to stake claims for the World Cup squad. No one is a certainty."

The series is part of Zimbabwe's preparations for January's Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand.