Ervine, Chari in Zimbabwe Test squad

Cricket365
October 23, 2014

Zimbabwe have named their Test and ODI squads for the tour to Bangladesh, and batsman Craig Ervine has cracked the nod for both, despite not playing competitive cricket for 18 months.

Ervine removed himself from contention in March last year, opting not to play due to pay disputes, but has since opted to return after the players got finalised contracts, and four months ahead of a trip to Australia for the World Cup.

Aside from Ervine’s inclusion, there is also space in the Test side for Brian Chari, a 22 year old batsman who has been playing for Zim A but has not made his international debut. He is not part of the ODI squad.

There are three Masakadza brothers in the Test squad, with Wellington joining more regular inclusions Hamilton and Shingi. Wellington, a young left arm spinner, is also uncapped, and has only played seven first class games.

Both Shingi and Wellington will return home after the Tests with Chari, and they will be replaced by three players from a group of six. This group includes paceman Brian Vitori, who returned to international action in August.

The squads are notably lacking spinner Prosper Utseya, who has been banned by the ICC after testing deemed his action illegal, which is a big blow for the side as he is their most in-form bowler.

Test squad: Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Natsai M’shangwe, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Malcolm Waller

ODI squad: Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Natsai M’shangwe, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Malcolm Waller, and three of the following: Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Solomon Mire, Peter Moore, Tawanda Mupariwa and Brian Vitori

Schedule:

Three-day game in Fatullah, 20 to 22 October
First Test match in Dhaka, 25 to 29 October
Second Test match in Khulna, 3 to 7 November
Third Test match in Chittagong, 12 to 16 November
One-day practice match in Chittagong, 19 November
First ODI in Chittagong, 21 November
Second ODI in Chittagong, 23 November
Third ODI in Mirpur, 26 November
Fourth ODI in Mirpur, 28 November, and
Fifth ODI in Mirpur, 01 December 2014.