Paul Strang to return home

Zimbabwe leg spinner Paul Strang, who injured his bowling arm during the first Test against India in Delhi, will fly back home on Saturday.

Zimbabwe team manager Babu Meman informed in Nagpur on Friday evening that his replacement Dirk Viljoun, a left arm spinner and a middle-order batsman, had joined the 15-member team on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwean coach Carl Rackemann, a former Aussie speedster, told reporters after his team's net practice that talented 19-year-old paceman Travis Friend is still not fully fit to play.

"However, the swelling on his shin has subsided and there was no pain when he bowled at the nets. But we will take a final decision about him only tomorrow," he added.

Speaking about Saturday's second Test, Rackemann said the morale of his boys is still high despite the loss in the first Test.

"We are looking for a good start from our opening batsmen to put pressure on the Indian bowlers.

"Our openers did not give us a good start in both the innings of the Delhi Test and I hope they give us a good start here as the wicket looks full of runs. If we win the toss we will definitely bat first," he added.

Mail Cricket Editor