Flower confident of series win over India

Zimbabwe batsman Andy Flower is confident of victory ahead of the two-match Test series against India which starts on Thursday.

Zimbabwe are in Bulawayo preparing for the first Test while India are in Harare playing against the CFX Academy XI in a three-day match.

"India will be full of confidence after their win over Australia," Flower said on Saturday.

"But I believe that we can win the series. We beat them the last time they were here so I think we have the confidence to do it again."

Zimbabwe beat India by 61 runs in a one-off Test in Harare in October 1998. But they have lost their other four Test matches against India.

The tourists are fresh from a stunning 2-1 Test series win over Australia, while Zimbabwe comfortably beat Bangladesh 2-0 in a recent series.

India drew their opening three-day match against Zimbabwe A in Mutare last week.

Seam bowler Davis Mutendera, who snapped up five for 100 in the match, has been included in the 14-man Zimbabwean squad.

The Zimbabwe squad: Heath Streak (captain), Andy Blignaut, Alistair Campbell, Stuart Carlisle, Dion Ebrahim, Andrew Flower, Grant Flower, David Mutendera, Brian Murphy, Mluleki Nkala, Ray Price, Gavin Rennie, Bryan Strang, Guy Whittall.

Mail Cricket Editor