ST GEORGE'S, Grenada, CANA - CAPTAIN Andy Flower says the Zimbabwe cricket team has come to the Caribbean with the firm intention of performing well.

Cricket minnows Zimbabwe, with a mere three victories in 39 Tests, arrived here on Wednesday for a historic tour which includes two Tests against the West Indies and a triangular one-day series which also features Pakistan.

The Zimbabweans open their tour tomorrow when they meet the Busta West Indies Board XI in a three-day match at the Queen's Park National Stadium.

Captain Andy Flower, whose brother Grant, is also a member of the 15-man squad which is managed by Ali Shah and coached by former Test captain and wicket-keeper/batsman David Houghton, said his side has enjoyed a good build-up to the Caribbean visit.

"What we are bringing to the West Indies is a side determined to do well. We've had a good build-up to this period of the season. We have been playing some Test cricket into late 1999 and quite a lot of one-day cricket leading up to our arriving here," Flower said.

"The guys are ready, they are really looking forward to the tour. For everyone here, it is our first trip to the West Indies ... and we want to leave here in a positive frame of mind to go on to England and do well there," Flower said.

Flower, 31, a left-handed middle-order batsman and a competent wicketkeeper, has played in all of his country's Test matches, scoring six centuries in 2,580 runs at a commendable average of 44.48.

Grant, who is a right-handed opening batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, has played in 38 Tests, scoring five hundreds in 2,230 runs at an average of 33.28.

Apart from the Flower brothers, former captain Alistair Campbell is the team's most experienced player.

Campbell, a left-handed middle-order batsman also has the distinction of playing in all 39 of his country's Tests but is yet to record a century while averaging 26.05 per innings.

The bowling attack will be led by vice-captain Heath Streak, whose pace bowling has earned him 111 wickets in 27 Tests at 24.55 apiece.

Streak will be supported by the pacy Henry Olonga, left-arm paceman Bryan Strang, the improving 23-year-old fast medium bowler Pommie Mbangwa and exciting all-rounder Neil Johnson, who has rapidly made an impression with centuries in Tests and one-day internationals.

Zimbabwe, whose first Test was against India atthe Harare Sports Club, in 1992-93, will have former Australia fast bowler Carl Rackemann as their bowling coach.

Rackemann is familiar with conditions in the West Indies, having tour here previously with the Australian Test team.

Apart from the weekend game against the Board XI, the Zimbabweans will have one more warm-up match against a West Indies Cricket Board President's XI at Guaracara Park in Trinidad and Tobago, March 10-13 before the first Test at Queen's Park Oval, March 16-20.

The second Test is slated for Sabina Park in Jamaica from March 24 to 28.

The squad: Andrew Flower (captain), Heath Streak (vice-captain), Grant Flower, Alistair Campbell, Trevor Gripper, Murray Goodwin, Neil Johnson, Mluleki Nkala, Andy Blignaut, Henry Olonga, Bryan Strang, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Stuart Carlisle, Brian Murphy, Craig Wishart.

Officials - Ali Shah (manager), David Houghton (coach), Carl Rackemann (bowling coach), Amato Machikicho (physiotherapist), John Bryceland (fitness trainer).