Zimbabwe go into the third one-day international of their India tour, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi tomorrow, minus star batsman and former captain Andrew Flower.

The former world number one is out with a right-hip flexor muscle strain, incurred while batting in the second one-day international in Mohali on Sunday.

He had to play his last overs in that match using Dion Ebrahim as runner.

Zimbabwe physiotherapist Amato Machikicho expects Flower to be available for election for the fourth one-day international, in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Douglas Hondo, 12th man in the past two matches, will come in for Flower.

The third one-day international of the Zimbabwe tour of India will also be the third for the Australia-based medium pacer.

Under-19 opener Charles Coventry comes into the team as 12th man.

Otherwise Zimbabwe retains the team that has played in the two ODIs so far: beating India by a wicket in the first match in Faridabad, and losing by 64-runs in the second tie- to leave the 5-match series level on one:

Captain Stuart Carlisle, former skippers Alistair Campbell and Heath Streak, wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu, Dion Ebrahim, Grant Flower, Craig Wishart, Travis Friend, Gary Brent and the man the local media just cannot seem to get enough of...Douglas Marillier of the "Duggie-scoop" fame.

© Zimbabwe Cricket Union