Zimbabwe name inexperienced side

Zimbabwe have named their 14-man squad for the Champions Trophy next month. With none of the so-called rebels available to play as their dispute with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union rumbles on, Tatenda Taibu will once again be leading a very inexperienced side onto the field.

Mark Vermeulen and Douglas Hondo, both 25, are the oldest members of the side, while Dion Ebrahim, the vice-captain, is the most experienced, having played 69 one-dayers for Zimbabwe. Almost half of the squad are under 20. After the tournament Zimbabwe will travel to Pakistan for a one-day triangular series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, although changes may be made to the team before then.

Max Ebrahim, the controversial Zimbabwe Cricket Union board member, will be travelling with the team as selector on tour. Ebrahim is one of the central characters in the ZCU's ongoing standoff with the rebel players, and took over as convenor of selectors after the board's annual general meeting last week. Phil Simmons, the former West Indies allrounder, remains as the coach, while Babu Meman has retained his long-term post as team manager. Amato Machikicho takes over from Bradley Robinson as the team's physiotherapist.

Squad
Brendan Taylor, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Mark Vermeulen, Tatenda Taibu (capt and wk), Dion Ebrahim, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Alester Maregwede, Mluleki Nkala, Elton Chigumbura, Tawanda Mupariwa, Edward Rainsford, Prosper Utseya, Tinashe Panyangara, Douglas Hondo.