KOLKATA – Zimbabwe are desperate to prove they belong with cricket’s big beasts as they wrap up their World Cup campaign against tournament whipping boys Kenya on Sunday. Zimbabwe, who played their last Test match in 2005, want to start playing Tests again but have often looked out of their depth at the World Cup.
They have slumped to heavy defeats against all four of the qualifiers from Group A – Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – with their only victory coming against minnows Canada. Two points from five matches is a poor return for a team that harbours ambitions of becoming a competitive force again at the top level, meaning a win against the poorest side in the tournament is crucial.
Kenya are rooted at the bottom of Group A with five defeats from five matches and the poorest run-rate at the World Cup by some distance. Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura singled out poor batting as the reason for his team’s first round exit.
Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (capt), Regis Chakabva, Charles Coventry, Graeme Cremer, Terry Duffin, Craig Ervine, Greg Lamb, Shingirai Masakadza, Christopher Mpofu, Tinashe Panyangara, Raymond Price, Tatenda Taibu, Brendan Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Vusimuzi Sibanda.
Kenya: Jimmy Kamande (capt), Seren Waters, Alex Obanda, David Obuya, Collins Obuya, Steve Tikolo, Tanmay Mishra, Rakep Patel, Morris Ouma, Thomas Odoyo, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Elijah Otieno, Peter Ongondo, Shem Ngoche, James Ngoche.
Pitch conditions: Eden Gardens track is expected to favour batsmen as it offers even bounce, but there will be something in it for bowlers, especially spinners, if they keep a tidy line and length.
