Curran considers his options

Zimbabwe coach Kevin Curran has drafted Sean Williams into the Zimbabwe squad preparing to tour Bangladesh next month.

The players re-grouped in Harare after being given a weekend's break on their return from a disappointing campaign in the Champions Trophy in India where they lost all their preliminary matches to West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Williams, a middle order batsman who bowls left-arm spin, missed out on the tournament because he was playing club cricket in England. Curran insisted on the player making himself available if he wanted to be considered, but Williams said he could not risk losing out on his contract at Clara Vale in Northumberland.

Williams turned down a contract offer from Zimbabwe Cricket in March as he sought a more settled career abroad. He signed up for Clara Vale two months later but made a dramatic about-turn in June when he made himself available for Zimbabwe A in their series against Bangladesh A. Williams, a former Zimbabwe Under-19 captain, disappointed with the bat and was not considered for Zimbabwe's five-match ODI series against Bangladesh which followed.

Chances are high that Williams will make it into the final squad. Zimbabwe struggled against the Bangladesh's slow bowlers, in particular their left-arm spinners, when the two teams met in their last match at the Champions Trophy and Curran is keen to have Williams in his team. Keith Dabengwa, another left-arm spinner, is also likely to be included.

Also in camp is legspinner Graeme Cremer, who was reported to be pursuing a career in South Africa. Cremer, who made six Test appearances for Zimbabwe, reportedly approached officials and again made himself available for Zimbabwe.

But Greg Strydom has opted out of the tour. He is understood to be mourning his late father who died in a cargo plane crash two years ago.

A battle for selection is on as Curran has declared that no player has a guaranteed place. The coach himself is under mounting pressure after the team's poor performances in India, as well as growing reports that the national selectors are split over whether he should continue.

The training squad will play two competitive matches every week against Zimbabwe A. The final squad for the Bangladesh trip will be announced on November 12.