Doctor
Bench
- Messages
- 3,612
ZIMBABWE FLOWERLESS
18-9-2003
By Sam Collyer
For the first time in 15 years Zimbabwe will field a test side without the name 'Flower' on its team list.
The news comes about after experienced batsman Grant Flower was ruled out of next month's tour of Australia with a broken thumb.
Flower, who is Zimbabwe's most experienced player with 65 tests and 209 one day internationals to his name, will aim to be fit for November's tour by the West Indies after having a wire inserted into his thumb.
The loss of Flower only compounds Zimbabwe's player-shortage, after the retirement of Flower's older brother Andy, and fast bowler Henry Olonga earlier this season.
The pair retired after the World Cup, held in Africa, because of personal safety concerns due to their well-publicised stance on political issues in their country.
The Zimbabwean side now travels to Australia with potentially only two test centurions in their ranks.
Batsmen Craig Wishart and Trevor Gripper were left out of a recent tour of England, but will more than likely be named in the squad.
The pair's only centuries were against lowly ranked Bangladesh, who were recently thrashed by Australia by an innings in both tests.
Respected judges believe Australia will match their performance against Bangladesh earlier this year in beating the Zimbabweans comfortably.
18-9-2003
By Sam Collyer
For the first time in 15 years Zimbabwe will field a test side without the name 'Flower' on its team list.
The news comes about after experienced batsman Grant Flower was ruled out of next month's tour of Australia with a broken thumb.
Flower, who is Zimbabwe's most experienced player with 65 tests and 209 one day internationals to his name, will aim to be fit for November's tour by the West Indies after having a wire inserted into his thumb.
The loss of Flower only compounds Zimbabwe's player-shortage, after the retirement of Flower's older brother Andy, and fast bowler Henry Olonga earlier this season.
The pair retired after the World Cup, held in Africa, because of personal safety concerns due to their well-publicised stance on political issues in their country.
The Zimbabwean side now travels to Australia with potentially only two test centurions in their ranks.
Batsmen Craig Wishart and Trevor Gripper were left out of a recent tour of England, but will more than likely be named in the squad.
The pair's only centuries were against lowly ranked Bangladesh, who were recently thrashed by Australia by an innings in both tests.
Respected judges believe Australia will match their performance against Bangladesh earlier this year in beating the Zimbabweans comfortably.