20/20 squad announcement

[jimbo]

Blignaut set for return to international cricket
HARARE, Zimbabwe--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 allrounder was named in the 15-man group released exclusively to The Associated Press 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.

[sloandog]

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.

Yes ! Top news. The lad deserves a chance, lets hope he can take it with both hands. Very good to see that Andy Blignaut is actually going to consider playing. Very good news for Zimbabwean Cricket.

[bayhaus]

Blignaut set for return to international cricket

By ENOCK MUCHINJO, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 13 minutes ago

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HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP)—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 allrounder was named in the 15-man group released exclusively to The Associated Press 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.

[aydee]

Seems fair enough. Why isn't Blignaut playing for the Tuskers this week though?? Without Jarvis and S.Masakadza, the squad is very light on seamers. Only Chigumbura & Mpofu. Have to assume that Blignaut is not going to be taking the new ball, as he has bowled 1 over in competitive cricket in the last 4 years...

[sloandog]

Why isn't some T20 specialsts in the squad ?? Guys like Ewing and Strydom, perhaps even Tendia Chitara

[eugene]

The squad looks mostly ok. Is Sean Williams still injured? Even though I have little regard for Chibhabha's ability to bat or bowl I guess we need to reward domestic cricket performances. Maybe Doug Marillier should have been chosen over Greg Lamb.

[shumbat]

T20 specialist EWING has really missed out, maybe he is injured as he retired hurt in the recent Logun Cup Match, Mpariwa missed out too as we have only 3 seamers, if i had to drop a player, i would drop a spinner, Maruma.The positive note is that the squad is slowly changing, Ervine deserved his chance, Blignuat bonus, Chibhabha maybe, Good luck Zim, better effort this time around.

[CrimsonAvenger]

This is scary. We must have had Rainsford in place of Maruma, Mutizwa in place of Sibanda, Williams / Chitara in palce of Lamb (if Williams is injured), and may be Strydom for Ervine.

Only silver lining in this squad is Bliggie's return.

[lange22]

What would be best batting lineup with this squad?

Masakadza opening with Blignaut for mine.
Chigumbura at no 3

Hope Sibanda doesn't get anywhere near that top order.

[PSR]

Ewing deserved a chance but happy about bliggie's return