Zimbabwe hit by injury curse
Thursday, February 17, 2011 : ODI
Zimbabwe have been hit by their third injury blow ahead of the start of the World Cup with the news that pace bowler Ed Rainsford will miss the entire tournament. The 26 year old has damaged ankle ligaments and has been forced to join Tinotenda Mawoyo and Sean Ervine in missing the tournament and robbing Zimbabwe of three key players.
The loss of Rainsford will hit Zimbabwe's preparations with the bowler one of his country's key men with 45 wickets in his 39 ODI's and the experience he brings to this young side. With the loss of Rainsford, Tinashe Panyangara has been called up as a replacement and will soon join the squad. The 25-year-old has taken 26 wickets in his 23 one-day appearances but is yet to play at a World Cup for his country.
Zimbabwe's World Cup campaign will start with one of their toughest games, against reigning champions Australia. Following their opening match the African side will come up against Canada in a game that they must win if they are going to have any hope of causing a surprise and reaching the quarter-final stage. The Cricket World Cup 2011 betting already made them outsiders, but the injury news will only make things harder for them.
New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Kenya will be the other sides standing between Zimbabwe and the next stage and if the Africans can reach the quarter-finals then it would be one of the shocks of the tournament, especially with the three key players that have been forced to pull out.
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