All set for Zimbabwe's return to test cricket

Brendan Taylor was handed the responsibility of leading Zimbabwe back into Test cricket after a six-year hiatus when he was named as captain in a 14-man national cricket squad that will lock horns with Bangladesh in the only test match set to begin at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.

All is set for Zimbabwe's return to test cricket, with the naming of a 14 man squad by Zimbabwe cricket's chairman of selectors Alistair Campbell. It will be Zimbabwe's first Test since they were thrashed by New Zealand on home soil in 2005.

Political turmoil with the cricket administration and a string of humiliating performances led them to suspend their involvement in Test cricket although they have continued to play one-day internationals and T20 internationals at the highest level.

The 25-year-old Taylor, who was fast-tracked into the national side as an 18-year-old back in 2003 during an earlier crisis in Zimbabwe cricket, is one of a clutch of players who have experience of the Test arena. Taylor is set to captain the team that includes the likes of Regis Chakabva, Elton Chigumbura, Hamilton Masakadza, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine.

He is joined by the likes of Hamilton Masakadza, who made a century on debut at the age of 17 against the West Indies ten years ago and former captain Tatenda Taibu whose 24 Tests make him the most capped of the Zimbabwe squad.

Left-arm spinner Ray Price brings the experience of 18 Tests while Elton Chigumbura, Christopher Mpofu, Vusimusi Sibanda and Prosper Utseya have 16 between them.

Experienced one-day player Craig Ervine is in line to make his Test debut but there is no place for Foster Mutizwa who made a battling 87 not out on Monday as a Zimbabwe XI beat the tourists in the three-day warm-up game.

Having previously relied on the spinners, Zimbabwe's selection panel has included 5 seamers, namely all rounder Elton Chigumbura, Kyle Jarvis, Keegan Meth, Christopher Mpofu and Brian Vittori. Zimbabwe's most experienced test player Raymond Price will lead a spin attack that also includes Prosper Utseya.

Zimbabwe's first Test in six years is being used as a yardstick to see whether they are ready to return fully to the Test circuit although chairman of selectors Alistair Campbell suggested judgement should only be made after they play Pakistan next month and New Zealand later in the year.

After announcing a 14-men squad, Zimbabwe cricket convener of selectors Alistair Campbell said it was now up to the players to perform.

Zimbabwe cricket team head coach, Allan Butcher concurred with Campbell and expressed satisfaction with work done in the run up to the Bangladesh encounter.

Butcher, the former England batsman, said he thought Zimbabwe would be a balanced side, strong in all departments.

"They have come a long way in the last six months especially," he said.

Bangladesh have not played a Test for 14 months since their tour to England last year.

After withdrawing from the test arena in 2006, the Zimbabwe Cricket team will be looking to mark their return to test cricket by registering a victory over Bangladesh.

The test between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh is set to begin at Harare Sports Club this Thursday.

The one-off test will be followed with 5-one day encounters.

Squad:
Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (capt), Regis Chakabva, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Tinotenda Mayoyo, Keegan Meth, Christopher Mpofu, Raymond Price, Vusimusi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitoriu.