Zim A intensify cricket preps

Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe A cricket squad has intensified their preparations ahead of the four-day games against touring South Africa starting at Harare Sports Club this Saturday. The national selection panel was yesterday expected to reduce the practice squad to 15 for the first four-day match. Zimbabwe A coach Douglas Hondo has been working with a squad of 22 playersfor the past fortnight, focusing on various aspects of the game. They have spent a lot of time in the nets and also on field drills.

Periodically, they have broken into groups to concentrate on specialist skills, with assistant coach and former Matabeleland and Zimbabwe wicket-keeper Wayne James working with glovemen Regis Chakabva, Joylord Gumbie, Tarisai Musakanda and Forster Mutizwa.

The South Africans are expected tomorrow with a 15-member squad led by the Proteas’ new Test opener, Stephen Cook. The squad also has other Test players such as Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Stiaan van Zyl and Dane Vilas. The two teams are expected to clash again in another four-dayer at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo from July 15.

South Africa A Squad:
Stephen Cook (captain), Qaasim Adams, Theunis de Bruyn, Heino Kuhn, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Dwaine Pretorius, Omphile Ramela, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas and Hardus Viljoen.

Zimbabwe A Practice Squad:

Gerald Aliseni, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tatenda Chikuni, Michael Chinouya, Trevor Garwe, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Roy Kaia, Timycen Maruma, Shingirai Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Tatenda Mupunga, Tarisai Musakanda, Natsai M’shangwe, Forster Mutizwa, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Richard Muzhange, Victor Nyauchi, John Nyumbu and Brian Vitori.