Zimbabwe squads named but uncertainly lingers

Zimbabwe's selectors met in Harare last Wednesday to pick two squads, the first to represent the country at the Afro-Asia A-team tournament in Bangladesh next month, and a second squad to take part in the last round of the South African Airways Challenge Cup in February.

Alester Maregwede, who captained the Under-23 side which returned home empty handed from the first round of the competition, was dropped from both squads, as were former Under-19 skipper Tinotenda Mawoyo, Matabeleland top-order batsman Tinashe Hove and pace bowler Christopher Mpofu. The first three were omitted after poor performances, but Mpofu was rested.

A provisional squad of 24 has been named for the Under-23s, which will be trimmed down to 16 a week before the team departs for South Africa, where they will take on KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Province, Border, Bolland and Western Province in both three-day and limited overs matches.

Andy Pycroft, who led Zimbabwe to the NatWest Series final in 2000, will take charge be in charge with Stephen Mangongo as his assistant. Rather confusingly, Phil Simmons, who was sacked as Zimbabwe coach in August and took the board to court claiming unfair dismissal, has been named as the A-team coach in Bangladesh.

No captain has been named for the A-team, and it is not even certain that those selected will agree to take part. Almost all of the players have said that they will refuse to play for Zimbabwe while Peter Chingoka and Ozias Bvute remain in charge of the board.

They are likely to train normally so that they are fit and ready should the dispute be resolved by January. If it has not, then a meeting is expected shortly before the A-team is scheduled to leave at which a final decision is expected.

Zimbabwe A Brendan Taylor, Dion Ebrahim, Hamilton Masakadza, Colin De Grandhomme, Charles Coventry, Blessing Mahwire, Keith Dabengwa, Prosper Utseya, Antony Ireland, Waddington Mwayenga, Edward Rainsford, Bernard Mlambo, Phil Simmons (coach), Babu Meman (manager).

Zimbabwe Under-23 Brendan Taylor, Stuart Matsikenyeri (captain), Gregory Strydom, Vusumuzi Sibanda, Hillary Matanga, Colin De Grandhomme, Allan Mwayenga, Benard Mlambo, Tawanda Mupariwa, Prosper Utseya, Antony Ireland, Waddington Mwayenga, Edward Rainsford, Charles Coventry, Terrence Duffin, John Nyumbu, Ryan Bennett, Elton Chigumbura, Matthew Waller, Zubair Patel, Thomas Dangarembizi, Johnson Marumisa, Ben Hundermark, Andy Pycroft (coach), Stephen Mangongo (assistant coach), Christian Chiketa(manager).