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Prosper Utseya

OFF-SPINNER Prosper Utseya has been named in the provisional 30-man squad for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in February and March.

Zimbabwe Cricket selectors have also extended an olive branch to all-rounder Sean Williams.

The 29-year-old Utseya has been on the sidelines since the beginning of October when he was banned from bowling by the ICC for an illegal bowling action.

Utseya has been working on his action since then, with the help of Zimbabwe Cricket, and is waiting for results, expected today, from the Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai, India.

Tests conducted on Utseya’s bowling action at Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales proved that he, indeed, flexed his elbow beyond the permitted 15 degrees when bowling his off-spin.

He spent two weeks working with South African coach Justin Summons and remains confident that he will be given the greenlight to bowl in international cricket again.

Utseya has repeatedly said that he was targeting making a return at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, which gets underway in Australia and New Zealand in February.

Another off-spinner, and all-rounder, Williams has been included in the 30-man squad for the World Cup show. Williams fell out with the Zimbabwe Cricket selectors ahead of the tour of Bangladesh after missing a training camp organised for the team.

To his credit, Williams continued to play domestic cricket, where he has thrived, and some feel that he could have made a big difference, for the Zimbabwe team, had he been chosen for the tour of Bangladesh.

Stuart Matsikenyeri also makes a return to the squad after a strong performance on the domestic front.

ZC said the squad will be reduced to the final 15 at the beginning of next month.

It includes six players who made their international debut this year.

The oldest in the lot, among those who made their international debut this year, are wicket-keeper batsman Richmond Mutumbami and all-rounder Solomon Mire, who are both 25. Mutumbami made his One-Day International debut against Afghanistan at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo in July, while Mire played his first match for Zimbabwe in Bangladesh last month.

So impressive was his performance that he played all the five ODI matches of the tour, scoring two half centuries and returning best figures of three wickets for 49 runs.

Neville Madziva and Peter Moore are both 23.

All-rounder Madziva made his ODI debut against South Africa in Bulawayo in August and also toured Bangladesh, where Moore made his debut and played two ODIs, keeping wicket in both.

The fifth newcomer is 22-year old Brian Chari.

The Tuskers top-order batsman made his debut in Bangladesh, where he opened in the first two Tests against the Tigers.

The sixth, Luke Jongwe, is the youngest and was Zimbabwe vice-captain at the last ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

The former Southern Rocks all-rounder who is now turning out for Matabeleland Tuskers played his first match for Zimbabwe against South Africa in Bulawayo in August.

Zimbabwe are in Pool B with defending champions India, Ireland, Pakistan, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the West Indies, in the preliminary round of the 11th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup. — Sports Reporter/ZimCricket.

Squad

Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Luke Jongwe, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Solomon Mire, Peter Moore, Tawanda Mupariwa, Natsai M’shangwe, Cuthbert Musoko, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams and Cephas Zhuwao.

Zimbabwe World Cup Match Schedule

Date Versus Venue

Sun 15 Feb S.Africa Seddon Park, N. Zealand

Thu 19 Feb UAE Saxton Oval, N. Zealand

Tue 24 Feb W.Indies Manuka Oval, Australia

Sun 1 Mar Pakistan The Gabba, Australia

Sat 7 Mar Ireland Bellerive Oval, Australia

Sat 14 Mar India Eden Park, N.Zealand