For the first time since 2016, Zimbabwe are set to play a Test series against New Zealand.
Ben Curran returns from injury, while Sikandar Raza — who missed the South Africa series — also makes his comeback. Along with them, Roy Kaia and Tanunurwa Makoni have been recalled to Zimbabwe’s Test squad for the series against New Zealand.
Zimbabwe announced a 16-man squad on Monday for the two-match Test series. From the squad that played the last Test series against South Africa, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Prince Masvaure, Wesley Madhevere, and Kundai Matigimu have been left out.
Ben Curran, the younger brother of England’s Tom and Sam Curran, missed the South Africa series due to a hand injury. Meanwhile, when Zimbabwe were battling South Africa in red-ball cricket, Raza was away playing in Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA.
After completing his MLC commitments, Raza rejoined the national side. The spin-bowling all-rounder is part of Zimbabwe’s ongoing tri-nation series squad — and now, he’s back in the Test setup too.
Brian Bennett, who suffered a blow to the helmet in the first Test against South Africa and missed the rest of that match as well as the second game due to concussion, has fully recovered. He returned in the tri-series and now earns a place in the Test squad again.
Pacer Richard Ngarava, who picked up a back injury during the Test against England but featured in the tri-series, has not been included in the Test squad.
Brendan Taylor’s three-and-a-half-year ban for breaching ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code ends on July 25. The former Zimbabwe captain had expressed his desire to return to international cricket in the series against New Zealand, but Zimbabwe have not picked him.
Both Tests against New Zealand will be played in Bulawayo. The first Test begins on July 30, while the second and final Test starts on August 7.
“For the first time since 2016, Zimbabwe are set to play a Test series against New Zealand.”
Zimbabwe Test Squad
Craig Ervine (capt), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nick Welch, Sean Williams.
