Ferreira in line for Test debut

Neil Ferreira, a left-hand top-order batsman, is expected to be called into the squad when the Zimbabwe selectors name their team for the first Test against New Zealand on Thursday.

Sources within the selection panel said that Ferreira, a 26-year-old left-hand batsman, would be named in the starting line-up as an opener. The selectors wanted Matabeleland and Zimbabwe A opener Terrence Duffin to partner Ferreira, but Duffin is unavailable for selection due to a knee injury.

Ferreira, who is currently playing club cricket in England, impressed the selectors during Zimbabwe's two four-day matches against Pakistan A in May. To show that he was really committed to playing for Zimbabwe, he bought his own ticket to return home from England when he learnt that he had been called up to the A side. He scored 57 runs in the first innings and followed that up with 90 runs but that all in vain as Zimbabwe A went down by three wickets in the first four-day match at the Harare Country Club.

The selectors have constantly ignored Ferreira in recent years despite brilliant form for Manicaland in the Logan Cup. In 2001-02 he hit three centuries in five matches with a high score of 210 against Matabeleland despite the pressure of being captain, wicketkeeper and opening batsman for Manicaland.

Ferreira and former Manicaland teammate Richard Sims hold the country' first-class record for the first wicket stand of 314 against Matabeleland at Queens Sports Club in October 2002.

He was part of the group of players who rebelled against the Zimbabwe board last year but he subsequently returned to the fold. It is largely believed that the selectors are fed up with Stuart Matsikenyeri's consistent failure at Test level and now want to try out other options for the top-order slot.