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Brian Vitori

Ngqabutho Moyo, Sports Reporter.
ZIMBABWE fast bowler Brian Vitori is expected to make a return to the ODI squad for the three home matches against South Africa starting tomorrow at Queens Sports Club.Stephen Mangongo, the Zimbabwe cricket head coach, said Vitori is now fully fit, attended training and fought for a place in the squad like any other player.

“Vitori is now fully fit and was training very hard to earn a place like any other player in the squad,” said Mangongo.

Vitori last played top-level cricket for Zimbabwe almost a year ago due to injury and chances are high that he will be part of Mangongo’s first 17 players tomorrow.

Vitori will be joining 19-year-old pace-bowling all rounder Luke Jongwe and 23-year-old seamer Neville Madziva.

Zimbabwe Test captain Brendon Taylor, from whom Elton Chigumbura takes over in limited-overs cricket, keeps his place as a wicketkeeper-batsman in the squad.  Offspinner John Nyumbu, the second Zimbabwean to take a five wickets on Test debut in the one-off Test against the Proteas, has been included.  Leg spinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi who got one ODI in Zimbabwe’s previous 50-overs assignment against Afghanistan, remains in the squad.

Seamer Tendai Chatara, who was part of Zimbabwe’s two previous ODI series against Pakistan misses out.

Zimbabwe has only played a single one-day international cricket match so far in 2014.

Starting tomorrow Zimbabwe will play three ODI games up to the 21st of this month following a triangular series that includes Australia.

Mangongo said players have been showing a positive attitude and commitment during training and can get a good result if they convert that energy into tomorrow’s game.

“The guys have been showing a positive attitude in training and I feel if they convert that energy into tomorrow’s game they will do well.”

Probable Zimbabwe Squad: Elton Chigumbura (capt), Sikandar Raza, Luke Jongwe, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingi Masakadza, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams

Probable South Africa Squad: South Africa: Hashim Amla (capt), AB de Villiers, Kyle Abbott, Quinton de Kock, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Rilee Rossouw, Mthokozisi Shezi.