Duffin set to return after long lay-off

Former Zimbabwe captain Terrence Duffin is set to make a comeback when he turns out for Zimbabwe A in their South African Airways Challenge Pool B match against South African provincial side Gauteng at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Duffin last played competitive cricket at the beginning of May when he turned out for Southerns in the Logan Cup. He aggravated a thumb injury that he suffered against South Africa in September last year and missed out on the first-class matches against India A and South Africa A, and was not considered for the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa last month.

A good performance from Duffin will certainly see him being called up to the Zimbabwe senior national team set to play against Sri Lanka. Duffin is expected to bring solidity into the Zimbabwe top-order batting order and should combine well with Tino Mawoyo.

Blessing Mahwire, the fast bowler, has replaced Mawoyo as captain and looks set to lead the bowling attack while legspinners Graeme Cremer and Tafadzwa Kamungozi will fight it out should coach Andy Pycroft opt for one slow bowler.

The South Africans arrived in Zimbabwe's second largest city on Wednesday afternoon and held one practice session at the match venue.

Gauteng are captained by Shane Burger and coached by Lawrence Mahaklane.

On Sunday, the two teams meet in a limited overs match at the same venue before the South Africans head back home.

Zimbabwe A Blessing Mahwire (capt), Terry Duffin, Graeme Cremer, Trevor Garwe, Prosper Tsvanu, Alester Maregwede, Regis Chakabva (wk), Kamungozi, Tino Mawoyo, Eric Chauluka, Tendai Chisoro, Admire Manyumwa, Steven Nyamuzinga.

Gauteng Shane Burger (capt), Richard Cameron, Richard das Neves, Yunus Keiler, Johnson Mafa, Dumisa Makalima, Brian Mathebula, William Motaung, Omphile Ramela, Warren Swann, Jean Symes, Dane Villas.