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Zimbabwe suffered a major blow on Tuesday after pace bowler Edward Rainsford suffered a serious injury which could rule him out of the World Cup during Tuesday’s four wicket loss to Ireland in Nagpur.

The Kwekwe-born tall right arm-seam-bowler managed only one delivery before being withdrawn from the attack after what is being said to be a suspected hamstring injury.

The Zimbabwe Cricket media and communications manager Jeffrey Murimbechi confirmed in a telephone interview with NewsDay Sport from India late Tuesday that indeed Rainsford had been injured.

“Yes, Rainsford was withdrawn from the attack after straining his hamstring after bowling only one delivery. However, it’s not certain yet whether he will take any further part in the tournament as we are yet to receive his results,” said Murimbechi.

If Rainsford is withdrawn from the team it could be a major blow to Zimbabwe’s preparations as only last week they had to replace Tinotenda Mawoyo due to injury.

Sean Ervine also pulled out of the team to concentrate on his career at County Club Hampshire.

A well placed source told NewsDay Sport that Rainsford would be taking the next plane home while resurgent Mountaineers bolwer Tinashe Panyangara had received a surprise call-up as his replacement.

Panyangara who has not played for Zimbabwe since 2005 and uncapped Matabeleland Tuskers’ seamer Njabulo Ndlovu are the only two seamers among the non travelling reserves.

Meanwhile Zimbabwe’s skipper Elton Chigumbura marked his return to form with a brilliant century but it was not enough as Ireland went on to win by four wickets with four balls to spare in a World Cup warm-up game at Nagpur on Tuesday.

Batting first, Zimbabwe clawed their way back from a top-order collapse to finish at 244 for eight with Chigumbura’s fighting 103 not out off 81 balls leading the way.

However, despite the early dismissal of Paul Stirling for a duck by Shingi Masakadza Ireland fought back to secure a crucial win in the tightly contested match.

Ireland’s chase was made easy by key innings from Andre Botha (79), Alex Cusack (47), and Kevin O’Brien (62 not out) but Zimbabwe bowled well to ensure the match went down to the final over as victory for the Irish came with only three balls to spare.

For Zimbabwe, it was their second defeat on the trot after losing to South Africa in their first match. Zimbabwe and Ireland have been placed in different groups for the mega-event.

The ICC has confirmed the Event Technical Committee of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 has approved Tinashe Panyangara as a replacement player for the injured Edward Rainsford in the Zimbabwe squad for the tournament.

The confirmation was conveyed to the Zimbabwe Cricket on behalf of the committee. Panyangara will replace Rainsford, who has injured his right ankle ligaments.

Any injury-based replacement requires a written submission to the event technical committee along with a diagnosis from a medical practitioner as to the extent of the injury. Once replaced, a player cannot return to the squad.

Panyangara, a 25-year-old fast bowler, has taken 26 wickets in 23 ODIs. He has also played three Tests in which he has picked up eight wickets.

Rainsford is the eighth player to be replaced in the tournament after compatriots Tinotenda Mawoyo and Sean Ervine, Australia’s Nathan Hauritz and Michael Hussey, Praveen Kumar of India, England’s Eoin Morgan and Sohail Tanvir of Pakistan were earlier replaced.


As with all players in the tournament, the eligibility of a replacement player is subject to approval by the ICC before that player can be officially added to the squad.


The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 consists of David Richardson (ICC, chairman), Prof. Ratnakar Shetty (Tournament Director), Campbell Jamieson (IDI representative), Anil Kumble (host nominee), David Lloyd (independent nomination) and Sanjay Manjrekar (independent nomination).