With regular captain Richard Ngarava out due to a back ailment, Zimbabwe has named 22-year-old Brian Bennett as captain for their two-match Test series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates. According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), fast bowler Tanaka Chivanga, who has also been ruled out of the series due to injury, is not included in the 17-person roster.
The team’s most notable member is veteran leg-spinner, Graeme Cremer. This return brings him back to the longest format after almost nine years away, since his most recent Test participation was in December 2017. The squad’s general composition has also changed as a result of Tanaka Chivanga’s injury.
In order to get ready for the red-ball format, veteran batters Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor stayed in the United Arab Emirates after the One Day International tri-series. Ben Curran, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, and Innocent Kaia join them in the batting unit.
Zimbabwe’s team has undergone a significant transformation due to the absence of Ngarava and Chivanga. Chivanga’s absence further depletes the pace resources, while Ngarava’s back injury completely eliminates the regular captain. In these situations, Bennett takes over as captain, and the selectors have responded by calling up Masekesa and Matigimu to increase his seam-bowling options.
The spin department is addressed in Cremer’s return. His selection indicates that selectors respect his experience against an Afghanistan team that has made tremendous progress in Test cricket in recent years, given that his last Test match was in December 2017. The team as a whole is made up of both well-known players and players who have been absent from the Test setup for a while.
Full Zimbabwe squad for the Afghanistan Tests in Sharjah:
Antum Naqvi, Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Ernest Masuku, Kundai Matigimu, Newman Nyamhuri, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, and Wessly Madhevere.
