By Zim Sport Live Writer
Veteran all-rounder Sean Williams has been ruled out of Zimbabwe’s ODI series against visiting Ireland which begins at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
Williams was widely expected to feature in the one-off Test but was conspicuous by his absence as the hosts suffered a 63 – run defeat.
And on the eve of the first of the three match ODI series Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced that the 38-year-old will miss out due to injury and will be replaced by Tony Munyonga.
“Tony Munyonga has been called up to replace Sean Williams, who has been ruled out due to injury. Cricket fans are encouraged to turn out in numbers to support Zimbabwe in what promises to be a thrilling contest against a strong Irish side. The tour started off with the one-off Test between the two sides in Bulawayo, which finished on Monday with Ireland winning by 63 runs,” ZC said in a statement.
However, the team will be buoyed by return of captain Craig Ervine, who missed the Test match because of family emergency as well as Sikandar Raza who was not part of the red ball match squad.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the first ODI match, Ervine lamented the absence of Williams both as a batsman and bowler.
“Willo is an integral part of the team and missing one creates a bit of a gap in both departments, in bowling and batting. But Wellington Masakadza is in the squad and he does cover that role quite nicely and is very versatile with the ball.
“Tony coming in allows us to have some fire power down the bottom end of the order through that middle period and he also contributes something with the ball as well. I am chuffed for him that he got this chance because he has done really well on the domestic scene so it’s really nice to see him rewarded for that,” he said.
Zimbabwe has not had a good record against Ireland in recent years having won just one of the last six matches losing three with two no results.
The last win was a three wicket victory in three match ODI series at Harare Sports Club on January 18, 2023.
One has to go back to October 2015 to find the last time Zimbabwe beat Ireland in an ODI series, winning 2 – 1 in Harare.
The second ODI is scheduled for Sunday with the final match set to take place on Tuesday next week.
There will also be a three match T20 series soon after.