Chibhabha to play against Aussies

Justice Chibhabha will face Australia, when the world champions meet the University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor's XI on Saturday.

The 21-year-old all-rounder has been named in the 13-member squad for the day/night 50 overs-a-side match to be contested on the University's ground at the Three Ws Oval here.

Chibhabha bats up the order and bowls steady medium-fast. He was fast-tracked into the national side three years ago, after the loss of senior players.

Chibhabha enhanced his reputation with back-to-back 50s in the opening matches of Zimbabwe's tour of the Caribbean two years ago, but he like many of Zimbabwe's players has been affected by the country's sporting isolation.

The side also includes West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin and all-rounder Darren Sammy. Both players have just taken part in the preceding three-Test series against the Aussies.

Patrick Browne, who has been named in the Windies squad for the five-match One-day International series against the Aussies, Ravi Rampaul, who played for the Windies in ODIs, also boost the squad, and uncapped fast bowler Kemar Roach has also been included.

The side is completed by a handful of University students that have appeared in the Combined Campuses & Colleges side which took part in the West Indies domestic competition for the first time this season.

They include left-handed batsman Simon Jackson, who has been named captain, and former Windward Islands opener Romel Currency.

The match will be Australia's only warm-up prior to the ODI series.

University officials announced that they had invited West Indies fast bowler Tino Best to be part of the line-up, but he was ruled out because of other commitments.

All-rounder Dwayne Smith was also considered, but his contractual commitments to English County side Sussex has prevented him from accepting.

Squad:

Simon Jackson (captain), Patrick Browne, Justice Chibhabha, Romel Currency, Kavesh Kantasingh, Nekoli Parris, Omar Phillips, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Gavin Wallace, Chadwick Walton.