THE following are profiles of the Zimbabwe team that takes on South Africa in the one-day international series that starts in Johannesburg today:
TATENDA TAIBU
Captain
Mashonaland
Wicketkeeper
Right-hand batsman
Born: May 14 1983, Harare
Anchor of the team. Expected to provide stability in the batting order, coming in at number four or five. Also a source of inspiration behind the stumps.
HAMILTON MASAKADZA
Matabeleland
Right-hand batsman
Right-arm leg spin bowler
Born: August 9 1983, Harare
Gifted with a wonderful technique and shot selection, Masakadza can be devastating if given just a sniff of width. Will be a key man in the ODI series in South Africa, where he recently completed his studies at Free State University.
BARNEY ROGERS
Mashonaland
Left-hand batsman
Right-arm off spin bowler
Born: August 20 1982, Harare
Man of the series in the ODIs in Bangladesh last month. Opening batsman with a brilliant technique and good temperament. Should consolidate on his fine showing in Bangladesh.
BRENDAN TAYLOR
Mashonaland
Right-hand batsman
Wicketkeeper
Right-arm off spin bowler
Born: February 6 1986, Harare
Will be one of the key batsmen in the Zimbabwe upper middle order. The South Africa tour will be another vital learning curve for the young player.
TINASHE PANYANGARA
Manicaland
Right-arm medium fast bowler
Right-hand batsman
Born: October 21 1985, Marondera
Should be able to extract good bounce on the fast South African wickets. His success in the ODI series will depend on whether he will get good variation and the correct line and length.
PROSPER UTSEYA
Manicaland
Right-arm off spin bowler
Right-hand batsman
His remarkable economy rate will be useful in stemming the influx of runs from the intimidating South African batting order.
DOUGLAS HONDO
Mashonaland
Right-arm medium pace bowler
Born: July 7 1979, Bulawayo
If he is on song, Zimbabwe can cause a major upset. Hondo’s experience will be crucial against a team he made his international debut against.
GAVIN EWING
Matabeleland
Right-hand batsman
Right-arm off spin bowler
Born: January 21 1981, Harare
Ewing is a dependable player with both bat and ball. He needs to perform exceptionally well in the ODIs to earn a place in the Test side.
SEAN WILLIAMS
Matabeleland
Right-hand batsman
Right-arm off spin bowler
Born: September 26 1986, Bulawayo
Just left high school. Showed maturity beyond his age in the drawn warm-up match against Easterns/Northerns, helping the Zimbabweans to a draw with a patient 82 runs.
ELTON CHIGUMBURA
Mashonaland
Right-hand batsman
Right-arm medium pace bowler
Born: March 14 1986, Kwekwe
Chigumbura will find the bouncy South African conditions tempting to hit big shots to the boundary. Chigumbura took the stuffing out of the Australian attack last year and will fancy his chances against South Africa.
STUART MATSIKENYERI
Manicaland
Right-hand batsman
Right-arm off spin bowler
Born: May 3 1983, Harare
Opening batsman who likes taking on the bowlers in the first spells. His approach against the South African seamers will be a major test of character.
CHRISTOPHER MPOFU
Matabeleland
Right-arm medium fast bowler
Born: November 27 1985, Plumtree
Upcoming pace bowler with great potential. Mpofu’s progress will be put to serious test in the series.
TAWANDA MUPARIWA
Matabeleland
Right-arm medium pace bowler
Right-hand batsman
Born: April 13 1985, Bulawayo
One of the back-up bowlers selected to provide cover to the Zimbabwe frontline seam attack.
ALESTER MAREGWEDE
Midlands
Right hand batsman
Wicketkeeper
Born: August 12 1981, Harare
Cover-up batsman whose wicketkeeping ability is an added advantage.
