Former Zimbabwe star Murray Goodwin dropped

Former Zimbabwe star batsman Murray Goodwin has been dropped from the Western Australian side after one game, in which he hit a match-winning unbeaten 62.

Goodwin, 27, who returned to Australia two months ago, was axed Monday from the team to play South Australia in a Sheffield Shield clash at Adelaide Oval from Thursday.

This is despite his magnificently controlled, near run-a-minute knock against the same team in a one-day cup match his side won by three runs at the WACA Ground here last Friday.

Goodwin had been made 12th man for Western Australia's initial first-class game of the new season, but must have believed he had forced his way back into the line-up permanently after his outstanding performance in the limited-overs clash.

His latest disappointment is the result of the team's need for extra variety in attack.

Goodwin has been dropped to make way for all-rounder Bradley Hogg, who has played one Test for Australia as a left-arm spin bowler.

Goodwin's fans in Africa will be stunned that a player of his talents is unable to secure a regular position in an Australian side. After all, he played in 19 Tests for Zimbabwe, averaging a fine 42.84 from an aggregate of 1414 runs.

He also turned out in 71 one-day internationals for the country of his birth.

But Western Australia, in particular, has exceptional batting strength, with Justin Langer, Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martyn all current members of the Australian side.

Skipper Tom Moody has played at Test level, while Michael Hussey and Simon Katich are hot young Test aspirants. Goodwin's next chance of playing for the team will come when the superstars are called up for Test duty in the series against the West Indies starting next month.

Goodwin originally left Zimbabwe with his family when he was a youngster, but returned three years ago to play cricket after being unable to find an assured position in the Western Australian team.

Mail Cricket Editor