More problems in Zimbabwe

Chris Gayle leads West Indies

Seldom does a tour of Zimbabwe pass without incident and the visit of West Indies is proving eventful before a ball has even been bowled.

First the tourists were delayed as they failed to make a connecting flight in South Africa because of a mix-up over excess luggage.

Then it was announced live television and radio coverage back in the Caribbean was in doubt, with both technical and commercial issues cited by SportsMax (the Jamaican cable company who own the TV rights).

Added to that is the ongoing political and security situation - an issue which was discussed by the West Indies Players' Association but will not stop the first match getting under way in Harare on Friday.

Following a security assessment, the West Indies Cricket Board issued a statement saying: "The West Indies Players' Association and board have agreed the tour should proceed.

"We will continually monitor the situation in Zimbabwe over safety, security and food integrity."

On the pitch, captain Ramnaresh Sarwan is ruled out with an ankle injury so Chris Gayle will skipper a squad which includes opening batsman Brenton Parchment for the first time.

Marlon Samuels is included

Marlon Samuels is included, despite an ongoing International Cricket Council investigation into allegations he was in contact with a bookmaker during the tour of India in January, but Dwayne Smith has been dropped.

Left-arm seamer Pedro Collins is also omitted, with Daren Powell, Fidel Edwards and Jerome Taylor expected to lead the seam attack.

Coach John Dyson will not travel with the squad for family reasons although Clive Lloyd will be present as team manager.

Henderson Springer and David Williams will jointly coach the side in Zimbabwe.

Following the five one-day internationals, the Windies will travel to South Africa for three Tests and five ODIs, although a new squad will be announced for the second leg of the tour.

Sarwan is expected to return to lead the side for the South Africa series.
Zimbabwe coach Robin Brown is expected to stick with the side that beat a South Africa composite XI by 10 wickets last week.

Skipper Prosper Utseya scored an unbeaten century, while wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu, Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza also showed good form with the bat.

Elton Chigumbura and off-spinner Timycen Maruma were the pick of the bowlers on that occasion.

Zimbabwe have not won a one-day international since they beat Bermuda in the World Cup by six wickets, although they did manage a famous five-wicket win over Australia at the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa in September.