By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwe have recalled experienced former captains Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine for the three-match One-Day International series against Australia which gets underway at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.
Seamer Ernest Masuku has also earned a recall as Zimbabwe named a 15-man squad blending youth and experience for Australia’s first ODI tour of the country in more than a decade.
The series will be played on September 15, 18 and 20, with all three matches taking place at Harare Sports Club.
Sikandar Raza will captain the side in the absence of ODI skipper Richard Ngarava, who continues his recovery from a lower-back injury.
The return of Taylor and Ervine adds significant experience to a Zimbabwe side preparing to face one of the world’s leading cricket nations.
Taylor, one of Zimbabwe’s most experienced players, shares the wicketkeeping duties with Tadiwanashe Marumani, while Ervine provides another experienced option in the middle order.
The pair join fellow senior players Raza and former captain Graeme Cremer, who has also been retained in the squad.
Masuku returns to strengthen the pace attack alongside Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans and Newman Nyamhuri.
Zimbabwe will, however, be without fast bowlers Ngarava and Tanaka Chivanga, who is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury. Wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande is the only other player missing from the squad that defeated Bangladesh in Zimbabwe’s previous ODI series in Harare in July.
Brian Bennett, Ben Curran and Innocent Kaia are among the batting options, while Cremer and Wellington Masakadza provide specialist spin alongside all-rounders Ryan Burl and Wessly Madhevere.
Australia’s visit marks their first ODI series in Zimbabwe in more than 10 years. The teams last met in the format on Zimbabwean soil during a triangular series also involving South Africa in 2014.
The series forms part of Zimbabwe’s preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host with South Africa and Namibia.
Zimbabwe squad for Australia ODI series:
Sikandar Raza (captain), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere.
Australia ODI series schedule:
September 15: 1st ODI, Harare Sports Club
September 18: 2nd ODI, Harare Sports Club
September 20: 3rd ODI, Harare Sports Club
All matches start at 9.30am local time.