Zimbabwe straight into action

The Zimbabwe cricketers will not be resting because of fatigue as they prepare for their seven-match one-day international series against the West Indies with practice matches today and tomorrow.

After flying and waiting for 33 hours since they left Harare on Friday, the Zimbabweans arrived in Antigua late Saturday night.

"We are very tired," said Andy Pycroft, the manager and former Test batsman. The Africans oppose the Windies in the first two ODIs Saturday and Sunday at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) and Pycroft said his inexperienced team will be looking ahead to the challenge while putting their problems behind them.

The Zimbabwe government withdrew the team from all Tests this year and replaced the national board, but retained controversial chairman Peter Chingoka, who has been investigated by police and auditors. Most of the senior players have refused to play because of a pay dispute with the authorities and former captains Tatenda Taibu and Heath Streak quit the team.

"We are looking forward to the tour," Pycroft said. "We have a very young and inexperienced team which is not used to playing one-day cricket."

Terry Duffin leads the team that drew a series with Kenya six weeks ago. "This is the strongest side available," the manager said.

Ironically, Zimbabwe arrived in the region in the midst of an on-going dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board and the players association over retainer contracts and the pending appointment of a new captain to replace Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

But Pycroft said they will not take any comfort from the Windies' problems. "We have our own problems but we will focus on playing good cricket. We are not going to get involved in the politics," he added. He said the team includes "a couple of decent spinners" in Utseya Prosper, an offbreak bowler, and Ryan Higgins, a leggie, who Pycroft said, is "an exciting prospect." The manager said the fast bowling attack "relies on swing rather than pace."

Edward Rainsford and Anthony Ireland will lead the bowling attack. On the batting, he said the most notable name will be Brendan Taylor, and described the batsmen as "inexperienced but talented".