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One thing we've known from day one of this World Cup is that, if Zimbabwe are to have any chance of reaching the knock-out stage, then the two Associate sides in Group A need to be dispatched with minimal fuss. It was the turn of Canada today, who had stated before the match that this was one of their targets to win - but after some very shaky opening overs for Zimbabwe the traffic was almost all one-way as Zimbabwe eased to a massive 175-run victory - and it should have been even larger.

The match got off to the worst possible start for Zimbabwe, though, when Brendan Taylor was trapped lbw off the first ball of the match, and was followed back to the pavilion two overs later by Charles Coventry, leaving Zimbabwe looking decidedly shaky on 7/2. That left Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine at the crease, though, and the pair carefully began rebuilding Zimbabwe's innings, building in confidence as they went and eventually adding a record third-wicket partnership of 181 off 167 balls to fire Zimbabwe right back into the match. At that point a score in the 350+ range seemed possible, but the loss of both Ervine (85) and Taibu (98) over the course of two overs put the brakes on Zimbabwe's charge and marked the beginning of a Canadian fightback. Wickets fell regularly from there as Balaji Rao (4/57) finally managed to get through the Zimbabwean defences, and the side limped (comparatively) to 298/9 from their 50 overs.

If Canada still fancied their chances of a successful chase, though, Zimbabwe gave them absolutely no chance to get that chase started, as Ray Price (3/16) demolished the top order - veteran John Davison went in the second over, followed quickly by Nitish Kumar and Ashish Bagai on consecutive balls in the 6th over, leaving Canada in deep trouble at 7/3, and while their remaining batsmen were able to keep their wickets safe for somewhat longer, with their run-rate never rising above 3/over a win was never on the cards. Their innings became a war of attrition, as Zimbabwe (perhaps foolishly) played with their part-timers, perhaps in an effort to give them match pratice, while the Canadians simply tried to see out their 50 overs, with whatever score they managed being a bonus. Exciting it wasn't. Graeme Cremer (3/31) eventually brought the tedium to an end in the 43rd over, and Zimbabwe may well end up hoping that run-rate doesn't come into the quarter-final equations, as they could certainly have made more of an effort to finish this match off.

Still, a win is a win, and Zimbabwe now have one on the board while Canada don't. Full scorecard for this match is below the cut, and Zimbabwe now go on to face New Zealand on Friday in a match that it seems more and more people are expecting to be the one where they could spring an upset, against a Black Cap side that's out of form and weak against spin. Fingers crossed.
Zimbabwe 298/9 (50 overs; Taibu 98, Balaji Rao 4/57), Canada 123 (42.1 overs; Surkari 26, Price 3/16). Zimbabwe win by 175 runs.

Zimbabwe XI trounced Canada by an innings and 73 runs, taking only three days to wrap up their Intercontinental Cup meeting with the North American side and in doing so claiming the largest winning margin of the tournament so far and maintaining their unbeaten record. The seeds of the victory were planted on day one when after winning the toss, Canada were put in to bat by Vusi Sibanda and promptly collapsed in a way that's normally associated with Zimbabwe - and I have to say it's nice to watch such collapses from the other side. Canada managed a poor 129 from their first innings, with Rizwan Cheema's unbeaten 46 being the pick of the bunch (and one of only three scores to reach double figures). Zimbabwe's bowlers produced a team effort, with Ed Rainsford and Tendai Chatara bagging three each and Shingi Masakadza and Timycen Maruma each bagging a pair.

Zimbabwe XI's first innings was for the most part a story of starts that didn't go on, but a stand-out knock of 177 by Craig Ervine - his second ton in two matches - helped push the side to 351 before he was finally stumped, the last wicket to fall. That Shingi Masakadza's 35 was the next-highest score underlines the continuing frailty of Zimbabwe's batting, though, and is a problem that remains to be addressed. Umar Bhatti took 6/98 for Canada, but despite his best efforts the home side were left with a mountain to climb even to make Zimbabwe bat again.

It was a mountain they failed to conquer, as Canada's second innings was barely better than the first. Hamza Tariq was the top-scorer this time around, scoring 39 before being run out, but a stellar performance from Shingi Masakadza (5/58) saw the home side bowled out for 149, well short of making Zimbabwe bat again, and that was all she wrote.

Full scorecard below the cut. Zimbabwe XI now move to second place in the tournament table, behind Scotland, who along with Ireland are our remaining opponents in the competition. Full scorecard below the cut.
Canada 129 (54.2 overs; Rizwan Cheema 46*, Chatara 3/21) & 149 (56.5 overs; Hamza Tariq 39, Masakadza 5/58), Zimbabwe XI 351 (97.1 overs; Ervine 177, Bhatti 6/98). Zimbabwe XI win by an innings and ?3 runs.

Zimbabwe XI left Harare yesterday for two fixtures of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup in the Netherlands and Canada.

In the Netherlands, Zimbabwe XI will play the hosts in a one-day match in Amstelveen on Friday and then a four-day match starting on Sunday. They will then leave for Canada to play the hosts in a another Intercontinental Cup match. That one is scheduled for the 2nd to the 5th of August in Toronto.

Vusimuzi Sibanda is captaining the side and Stephen Mangongo is the coach. Mangongo, who is also the assistant coach for the senior national team, will be assisted on the Zimbabwe XI tour by former Zimbabwe Test player Andrew Waller who will also double up as the team manager. Another former Zimbabwe international, Heath Streak, is the bowling coach.

"I am definitely one lucky man to be surrounded by this kind of technical staff. Bundu (Waller's nickname) is an astute coach. He has played the game at the highest level and is passionate about the team. Indeed, he is a superman and I am looking forward to working with him on this tour.

"Captain Vusi Sibanda has been around for a while. He has played for the senior team and is a player who knows his cricket. He has been the top runner in the past year in franchise cricket. He has over seven centuries and that in itself is a sign that he has what it takes. The team is well-balanced and we are spoilt for choice," said Mangongo.

Three players from the Zimbabwe squad that went to the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand earlier this year have been drafted into the squad. They are Mountaineers off-spinner Natsai Mushangwe and medium fast bowlers Nathan Waller and Tendai Chatara. Mangongo believes these are the future stars of the game for Zimbabwe.

"It is good for Zimbabwe cricket that we are identifying a young crop that we can nurture. To me, that is a key element for cricket to survive. The youngsters in our current squad are very exciting. Tendai Chatara has shown a glimpse of genuine pace, Nathan Waller has a good physique and all the attributes of a fast bowler and Mushangwe is a brilliant turner of the ball - his domestics statistics speak for themselves," said the Zimbabwe XI coach.

Chamunorwa Chibhabha will be expected to do well as an opener on the tour. He is well-known for his explosive approach in shorter versions of the game and has the run scoring abilities to gift his team a secure start to an innings. The pairing of Chibhabha with the captain or Stuart Matsikenyeri has potential to set big scores against the lower-ranked teams on this tour.

Charles Coventry, Craig Ervine and Foster Mutizwa will form part of the depth of the middle order and should enjoy some of the flat batting tracks in Amstelveen.

Zimbabwe sits in fourth with 23 points in the tournament after winning a game and drawing one due to weather interruptions.

"Zimbabwe XI players are supposed to aim for places in the national team. They can only do that through performances that give top players more pressure. In doing so we create more options and the depth that we need as we approach our return to playing Test cricket," said Heath Streak as the team had its final practice session in Harare.

Bas Zuiderent has been named Netherlands captain for the limited-overs leg of Zimbabwe's visit. He was the vice-captain during the World Cricket League. Regular skipper Peter Borren was unavailable for selection. Nick
Statham will then take up the reins for the Intercontinental Cup game on Sunday.

The team: V. Sibanda (captain), F. Mutizwa, S. Williams, C. Ervine, C. Coventry, C. Chibhabha, R. Chakabva, S. Matsikenyeri, T. Chatara, E. Rainsford, K. Dabengwa, S. Masakadza, N. Mushangwe, N. Waller, T. Maruma, Stephen Mangongo (coach), Andrew Waller (assistant coach/manager), Heath Streak (bowling coach), Travor Wambe (physiotherapist) and Walter Karimanzira (fitness trainer).
[Source: ZC]

Zimbabwe XI head off on their tour of the Netherland and Canada shortly - check the Fixtures page for match details - and ZC have named the 15-man touring sqaud for the trip. The side includes a decent mix of fringe national side players and up-and-coming talent, and - at least according to captain Vusi Sibanda, should be more than strong enough to deal with the expected opposition. That said, never discount home-field advantage when it comes to causing upsets - and these are Zimbabwe's first away matches in the Intercontinental Cup. The full squad is:

Vusi Sibanda (capt), Forster Mutizwa, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Charles Coventry, Chamu Chibabha, Regis Chakabva, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tendai Chatara, Ed Rainsford, Keith Dabengwa, Shingirai Masakadza, Natsai Mushangwe, Nathan Waller, Timycen Maruma.

Zimbabwe XI are currently 4th in the tournament table, 46 points behind leaders Scotland - however, Zimbabwe have only played two matches so far, at least two less than any of the sides above them. Two outright wins from this trip would leave them in second place with 63 points, and that has to be a realistic aim for the trip. Coaching staff for the trip will be 'A' team coach Stephen Mangongo and bowling coach Heath Streak.
[Source: ZC]

Canada sneaked a 1-run victory over Zimbabwe in the opening round og the U19 World Cup earlier today, in a match that featured poor batting on both sides. Canada won the toss and opted to bat, setting a target of 201 from their 50 overs for the loss of 7 wickets. Usman Limbada (90) did most of the work, with Hiral Patel's 29 the best of the rest, while Nathan Waller topped the Zimbabwean bowling figures with 2/29.

That would have been a total that Zimbabwe would have had hoped of chasing, but once again the side's batting frailties let them dow - it's becoming a depressing habit that, despite the undoubted talent that's in the side, it seems that only one or two will ever manage a decent score in any match. Today, Dean Mazhawidza (75) and Andrew Lindsay (40) were the pair in form, but the failure of the rest of the side - 14 was the top score from the remaining batsmen - left Zimbabwe painfully short against a side that they should have beaten. Full scorecard below the cut.
Canada 201/7 (50 overs; Usman Limbada 90, Nathan Waller 2/29), Zimbabwe 191 (49.4 overs; Mazhawida 75, Zain Mahmood 3/31). Canada U19 win by 10 runs.

The remaining fixtures in the current Intercontinental Cup competition have been released, and you can find the full list on our Fixtures page. Zimbabwe's next match won't be until August 2010, when the side travel to Canada and Netherlands, while the final two matches against Ireland and Scotland are currently billed as "home" games - although I suspect they may well end up being played on neutral territory.

More when I can get my hands on a scorecard, but for the meantime...
Canada 143 (48.1/50 overs; Sandeep Jyoti 32, Garwe 3/23), Zimbabwe 'A' 145/4 (Mabuza 61*). Zimbabwe 'A' win by 6 wickets.

Zimbabwe 'A' will now be facing Canada, although just for a single match, which will take place in South Africa on March 24th. The side will then meet Ireland on the 26th. Both matches are part of the warm-ups for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers, and will take place in Benoni.

As the schedules currently stand, this would mean that the 'A' side players would be unavailable for the first round of the Logan Cup, but I'd half-expect the Logan Cup dates to be shifted to accommodate these games. We'll soon see.
CricInfo - Canada and Ireland to face Zimbabwe A

Cricket Canada have cancelled their side's planned trip to Zimbabwe, citing an inability to field a competitive side and the Candadian Government's current "health warning" on visiting Zimbabwe. Given that the trip was intended to be part of Canada's warm-up for the World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa, it seem unlikely that the competitiveness of their side would be an issue - unless Canada are admitting that their side isn't fit for ODI status, which I would doubt - so it looks as though politics have once again thrown a spanner in the works.
CricInfo - Canada cancel Zimbabwe warm-up tour

We had been pondering on the forums whether Zimbabwe could fit the tour to Sri Lanka and an ODI series against Canada into March, along with their other match commitments (Deodhar Trophy, Logan Cup...). It seems that it was possible, but only on a very tight, busy schedule. Well, a speculative email to ZC by forum member dylan produced that very rare thing - a reply - that seems to clear things up somewhat, while bringing some new news to the fixture list:

The national team will tour India and then Sri Lanka beginning mid-March, while the A team will play Namibia and then Canada

The Canada tour had originally been set to be against the 'A' side, before reportedly being 'upgraded' to full ODIs - it now appears to be back to being against the 'A' side. The Namibia tour is new - the sides last met when Zimbabwe 'A' toured Namibia in 2005, when Namibia won a 3-match series 2-0. With Namibia being a stronger team now, with ODI status in their sights at this year's World Cup Qualifiers, a series against them now will be a good guide to how both teams are progressing.

UPDATE: CricInfo reports that the Namibia series will be in Namibia, with 3 'A' ODIs and possibly a Twenty20 match to be played between 28 February and 4 March.