Scores Upcoming Results
26-Mar-2010 05:00:00 GMT
ICC Twenty20 World Cup, 2010

Blignaut in Zimbabwe's World T20 Squad

Harare: Andy Blignaut is set to return to international cricket after being included in Zimbabwe's squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in West Indies.

The 31-year-old all-rounder was named in the 15-man group released exclusively for the agency on Thursday. Blignaut last played for his country in 2005 before joining a strike by players dissatisfied with their contracts.

He was also involved in a dispute with Zimbabwe's cricket board in 2004 which resulted in the sacking of 15 senior white players.

Former Zimbabwe under-19 batsman Craig Ervine, the younger brother of Hampshire's Sean Ervine, was called into the national squad for the first time.

There is no place for the older Ervine, who is still tied to a contract in English county cricket.

Also missing are Stuart Matsikenyeri and Shingi Masakadza, who have been dropped following Zimbabwe's 4-1 loss in a recent one-day series in West Indies. Fast bowler Kyle Jarvis, whose tour was cut short by injury, was left out too.

Top-order batsman Chamu Chibhabha returns after shining in Zimbabwe's domestic Twenty20 competition last month, where he was the second highest run-scorer.

The squad will travel to the Caribbean with an additional player, teenager Tendai Chatara. The promising paceman, who opened the bowling for Zimbabwe at the under-19 World Cup in New Zealand in January, will only play in a warm-up match against West Indies 'A' on April 16 before flying back home.

Zimbabwe will be under the direction of new coach Alan Butcher for the first time at the World Twenty20. Butcher is due to arrive in Harare over the weekend.

The 12-team Twenty20 competition begins on April 30. Zimbabwe is grouped with Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

Zimbabwe squad for the ICC World Twenty20: Prosper Utseya (captain), Brendan Taylor, Charles Coventry, Andy Blignaut, Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu, Greg Lamb, Elton Chigumbura, Vusi Sibanda, Ray Price, Graeme Cremer, Chamu Chibhabha, Chris Mpofu, Timycen Maruma, Craig Ervine.


Scores Upcoming Results
Related links

Top