Streak, Guy Whittall, Strang, Viljoen and Campbell forget troubles back home
Graham Griffiths

London, April 25: Zimbabwe's farming cricketers will try not to be distracted by the land crisis at home as they make their inaugural Test tour of England.

Five players in the squad of 16 -- vice-captain Heath Streak, Guy Whittall, Bryan Strang, Dirk Viljoen and, to a lesser degree, Alistair Campbell -- are farmers.

They are to play on despite the troubles in Zimbabwe where pro-government militants have invaded hundreds of white-owned farms over the past two months.

Captain Andy Flower said at a news conference as the players practised at Lord's on Tuesdat: ``Everyone's worried. We've got some farmers in the side with families, though they're not on the farms any more. We have got to think positively, hope that things do sort themselves out and if problems do arise in the future we'll deal with them then.''

``As far as causing additional pressure which could affect on-field performance, I don't think it will. '' added the captain. ``When you are playing this level of sport there are always distractions and this is another distraction which should not affect performance or practice.''

Asked how the home crisis had affected morale during his team's recent tour of the Caribbean, Flower said: ``Obviously, it's frustrating to watch from thousands of miles away but I don't think it's an excuse or a reason for on-field under performance.''

``You should be able to compartmentalise sufficiently well so that it dosen't affect you.'' There are no contingency plans for the Zimbabwe squad if the situation deteriorates at home.

Tour manager Dan Stannard said: ``We've got the go ahead from the Zimbabwe Cricket Union and from the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board), who are also very keen for this tour to take place. It's very important that it does take place, for cricket, particularly in Zimbabwe, and at this moment in time we have no thoughts whatsoever about going back.'' he added.

``As far as those players who come from farming families are concerned, their families are probably very pleased they are on this tour for a variety of reasons -- cricket for one, and second the fact it is not an additional worry for them.''

Zimbabwe's itinerary opens on Thursday with a four-day match against Hampshire at Southampton. It includes two Tests against England and a triangular limited overs tournament with England and West Indies who start their tour in June.

Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.