Friend and Hondo in Zimbabwe team for Lord's Test

Zimbabwe has confirmed its team for the first npower Test match versus England at Lord's, beginning on Thursday 22 May. The 11 players selected are:

Heath Streak, captain
Tatenda Taibu, vice captain and wicketkeeper
Dion Ebrahim
Mark Vermeulen
Stuart Carlisle
Grant Flower
Andy Blignaut
Travis Friend
Sean Ervine
Douglas Hondo
Ray Price

There are two changes from the team that drew with Sussex in the last lead up game at Hove. Seam bowling all rounder Travis Friend replaces Douglas Marillier, while pace bowler Douglas Hondo replaces Mluleki Nkala.

Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh commented: "All 15 players were fit and available for selection. The final eleven gives us depth and variety in bowling, while the top order batting is supported by a number of genuine all round performers.

"Despite losing a lot of play against Sussex our build up to the Test has gone well, with a win, a tie and a draw. Most of the batsmen have spent time in the middle and three have already produced big hundreds".

Captain Heath Streak added:"Our bowlers have all acclimatised pretty well to early-season English conditions and have delivered good spells in all three of the tour games. With unsettled weather forecast for Lord's and a pitch that might favour the faster bowlers, the luxury of being able to call on five seam bowlers gives us plenty of options."

Streak will lead a five-pronged pace attack on a ground where he returned his best Test figures of 6-87, against England in 2000. Andy Blignaut, Douglas Hondo (12 wickets in two tour games to date), Sean Ervine and Travis Friend complete the seam attack. Ray Price provides contrast with left arm spin and will be backed up by fellow left armer Grant Flower.

Three of the top order batsmen go into the Test with substantial centuries to their credit on tour: Grant Flower:130 v British Universities, Stuart Carlisle: 159 v Worcestershire and Mark Vermuelen:198 v Sussex.

Nine of the starting line up are first class centurions (Hondo and Price being the exceptions).

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