Zimbabwe are adamant they can shrug off their political problems in time to face a crisis-hit West Indies team when the two sides clash in a seven match, one-day international series.
The visitors arrived late on Saturday and open their three-week trip with back-to-back limited-overs practice matches against Antigua & Barbuda on Monday and Tuesday at the Jolly Beach Resort Ground. The first and second one-day internationals in the seven-match series will be contested on Saturday and Sunday at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
Terry Duffin leads the side which drew a series with Kenya six weeks ago, following a settlement of the dispute between Zimbabwe Cricket and the players' union.
"This is the strongest side available, and though we have our own problems, we will focus on playing good cricket. We are not going to get involved in the politics," said Pycroft.
The WICB announced on Sunday that it will meet with the WIPA on Tuesday in an attempt to complete retainer contracts negotiations.
West Indies are the only side in international cricket without a retainer contract system for its players and, despite the best efforts of the WICB, have found the players' unyielding in their demands for better terms and conditions.
Last Wednesday, the WICB's Cricket Committee, under the chairmanship of former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, had fixed last Friday as a deadline for completion of negotiations on the issue. A meeting between WICB director Deryck Murray, the former West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman, and WIPA executive president Dinanath Ramnarine was held on Friday evening to discuss the matter. The regional governing body for the sport said the retainer contracts will be for a term of one year from May 2006 to April 2007.
The WICB is also expected to offer match/tour contracts, separate from the retainer contracts, to the players on Monday in an effort to assemble a squad in time for the first one-dayer against the Zimbabweans.
ZIMBABWE ITINERARY:
April 24: v Antigua & Barbuda - St. John's
April 25: v Antigua & Barbuda - St. John's
April 29: First One-day International - St. John's
April 30: Second One-day International - St. John's
May 6: Third One-day International - Georgetown
May 7: Fourth One-day International - Georgetown
May 9: Fifth One-day International - Gros Islet (d/n)
May 13: Sixth One-day International - Port of Spain
May 14: Seventh One-day International - Port of Spain.
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