Zimbabwe have been among the World Cup's rank outsiders since their first appearance in 1983, and sadly this looks set to be the case again in a tournament they are helping to host.

The Africans looked to be making progress as they qualified from their group for the first time in 1999.

But they seem to have regressed since and will probably be little more than cannon fodder this time.

The reason for their decline is a sad one and was perhaps sparked by the decisions of Murray Goodwin and Neil Johnson to retire from international cricket.

The pair, Australian and South African-raised respectively, decided to leave the country because of political unrest and were never satisfactorily replaced.

Johnson may not have been the best character to have in the dressing room. But the loss of his runs and tenacity, coupled with the absence of Goodwin's undoubted class, left a big hole.

In Andy Flower, the side still boasts one of the world's best batsmen and a fine wicket-keeper - but the sparkle of 1999 appears to have gone.

In that year's tournament, Zimbabwe proved that while not the most technically-gifted side, willingness and team spirit could go a long way; hence a side of modest ability pulling off a shock victory over South Africa to reach the Super Sixes.

Such achievement appears beyond them this time, though.

Cricket appears to have taken a turn for the worse in the country because of continuing political tensions - and drawing as they do from small bases in Harare and Bulawayo the national side are short of options.

It is certainly hard to see any of their current crop of players taking the tournament by storm.

The one chink of light could be the emergence of youngster Hamilton Masakadza, who cracked a century on Test debut against the West Indies in 2001.

However, he had to miss the one-day series which followed against England because of school exams - and his development since has not been as marked as was hoped.

Without him, Zimbabwe toiled in that five-match home series against a largely second-string England side, the most memorable moment being James Foster's ill-advised altercation with Flower.

Their recent efforts in the ICC Champions Trophy - when they were again outplayed by England as well as India - were certainly nothing to write home about.

In truth, the side have become too dependent on Flower and to a lesser extent on Heath Streak. The likes of Grant Flower, Guy Whittall and Stuart Carlisle do occasionally have their day - but without Andy Flower they would be in serious trouble.

They clearly need another Goodwin, who has continued to score runs aplenty for Western Australia and Sussex. But all attempts to lure the man himself back to international cricket have failed.

On the bowling front, there is Streak and little else of menace. Henry Olonga, Douglas Hondo and Pommie Mbangwa have impressed in flashes but failed to sustain anything threatening over the long term.

With an uncompetitive domestic structure and all the best players concentrated in one or two provinces, it is difficult to see where the next match-winner could come from.

Zimbabwe revelled in the fact they were no longer just making the numbers up at the last World Cup. But unfortunately they may have to settle for a more familiar role this time.