Experienced top order batsman Craig Ervine is set to continue as Zimbabwe cricket team stand-in captain for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka which gets underway on January 16.
The 36-year-old left-handeder – a veteran of 99 ODIs, 18 Tests and 34 Twenty20 Internationals – took over the captaincy duties from Sean Williams ahead of the limited-overs tour to Ireland and Scotland in August-September last year.
After leading the side admirably during the previous tour, Ervine is set to continue in the leadership role after being entrusted with the responsibility to lead Zimbabwe once again after he captained the team for the upcoming series.
🇿🇼 retain Ervine as skipper for Sri Lanka tour
👉 https://t.co/mun46Nf5c6 pic.twitter.com/NEuWugBYE4
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) January 7, 2022
Ervine leads a 15-man squad that includes the uncapped duo of opening batter Takudzwanashe Kaitano and former Zimbabwe Under-19 wicketkeeper batsman Clive Madande who have been rewarded for their form on the domestic scene.
Twenty-eight-year-old Kaitano, whose only previous appearance for Zimbabwe came in a Test match against Bangladesh in Harare in July will be seeking to make an impact in white ball cricket.
All-rounder Tino Mutombodzi, who last played for Zimbabwe during their tour of Bangladesh in March last year has returned to the national side.
Zimbabwe will leave for the Sri Lanka tour this Saturday for the three match series whose matches are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.
The ODI series will commence on January 16 with the last two games to be played on January 18 and 21.
All the matches will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy and will be day-night affairs.
SQUAD: Ervine Craig (C), Burl Ryan, Chakabva Regis, Chatara Tendai, Jongwe Luke, Kaitano Takudzwanashe, Madande Clive, Madhevere Wessly, Masakadza Wellington, Mutombodzi Tinotenda, Muzarabani Blessing, Ngarava Richard, Raza Sikandar, Shumba Milton, Williams Sean