November 21 Thursday 2002
Zimbabwe prospects hit by missing pacemen

BULAWAYO: Injuries have badly weakened Zimbabwe for the first two One-day Internationals against Pakistan to be played in Bulawayo on Saturday and Sunday with most of their strike attack missing.

Regular captain and leading bowler Heath Streak has been out of action since he dislocated his shoulder in a traffic accident during the Champions Trophy in Colombo in September. Pacemen Douglas Hondo and Travis Friend have not played since that tournament due to a shoulder injury and a stress fracture of the leg respectively.

"They are three of our main bowlers, and we are definitely missing their contribution," Zimbabwe Cricket Union managing director Vince Hogg told on Wednesday. There are doubts whether batsman Mark Vermeulen, who dislocated a finger while fielding in his debut Test in Bulawayo, which Pakistan won by 10 wickets on Tuesday, will be fit for the weekend's matches. 

Squad: Alistair Campbell (captain), Stuart Matsikenyeri, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Barney Rodgers, Guy Whittall, Tatenda Taibu, Andy Blignaut, Craig Evans, Mluleki Nkala, Henry Olonga, Richard Sims, Waddington Mwayenga, Campell MacMillan, Sean Ervine, Mark Vermeulen.