Zimbabwe President's XI to play in Duleep Trophy

In an effort to arrest the continuing decline of the national side, Zimbabwean authorities have been forced to swallow their pride and send a team back to the South African Bowls competition. They had pulled out after the 2002 season protesting against being made to play weaker sides. They have also announced the team to play in the Duleep Trophy in India.

Hamilton Masakadza, the Zimbabwean top order batsman, has been named the captain and Kevin Curran, the coach of the Zimbabwe President's XI side scheduled to play at least two four-day matches in the Duleep Trophy against first class sides in India at the end of this month. They will join the five Indian first class sides with the six teams split into two groups of three. The winners of the each group will play in the final.

National team captain Tatenda Taibu and his deputy Heath Streak have not been considered for selection due to family commitments.

Meanwhile, Douglas Marillier, the offspinner, has been named captain of the Zimbabwe Board XI side to play in the South Africa Bowls Competition where they will play three-day and one-day matches from October 20. Marillier will have Alester Maregwede, the wicketkeeper, who recently came back from early retirement as his deputy. In South Africa, the Board XI side will play five three-day matches and an equal number of limited overs matches against KwaZulu Natal, Border, Western Province, Boland and Eastern Province. The team will return to South Africa again early next year to play five three-day matches and the same number of one-day matches.

Injury has again ruled out pace bowlers Douglas Hondo, Tinashe Panyangara, Tawanda Mupariwa and Elton Chigumbura, the allrounder, from being picked for any of these sides. Sean Williams, the young top order batsman, Kudakwashe Samunderu, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Tafadzwa Mufambisi, the wicketkeeper and Ian Nicolson, the pace bowler, were not considered for selection as they will be representing the national Under-19 side at the inaugural Afro-Asia U-19 tournament to be held in India next month and the ICC U-19 World Cup to be held in Sri Lanka in February next year.

Squads:

President's XI to play in India: Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Andy Blignaut (vice-captain), Neil Ferreira, Terrence Duffin, Keith Dabengwa, Charles Coventry, Vusumuzi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor (wicketkeeper), Dion Ebrahim, Waddington Mwayenga, Blessing Mahwire, Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer, Antony Ireland.

Board XI to play in South Africa: Douglas Marillier (captain), Alester Maregwede (vice-captain-wicketkeeper), Gavin Ewing, Mark Vermeulen, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Colin De Grandhomme, Edward Rainsford, Christopher Mpofu, Allan Mwayenga, Barnard Mlambo, Tinashe Hove, Trevor Garwe, Innocent Chinyoka, Tino Mawoyo, Gregory Strydom.