adminBongani Ndlovu Sports Correspondent
FORGOTTEN Bulawayo cricketer Njabulo Ncube has bounced back onto the Test scene after being named in the provisional Zimbabwe squad that will take on New Zealand in a two-Test series that starts next week in Bulawayo.
The last Test played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo was also between Zimbabwe and New Zealand in a thriller that the tourists won by 34 runs in November 2011.
Ncube, a right-arm seamer, left for South Africa two years ago and the former Milton High schoolboy’s selection seems to be part of a whole raft of changes being introduced by the selectors led by former national team captain Tatenda Taibu.
As part of the changes, former skipper Elton Chigumbura, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Shingi Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Natsai M’shangwe, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusi Sibanda and Malcolm Waller were all dropped.
They have been replaced by the captain Graeme Cremer, Prince Masvaure, Tino Mawoyo, Peter Moor, Taurai Muzarabani, Njabulo Ncube, Donald Tiripano and Sean Williams.
It will be a case of de javu for Ncube as he will be playing against the team he made his debut against, on the cricket ground he took the scalp of New Zealander Ross Taylor five years ago.
Ncube is described as a short, nippy fast bowler, who first played cricket on the streets of Bulawayo’s Gwabalanda suburb. He went on to represent Milton High School before finding his way into the Westerns Under-19s and B teams.
Ncube considers Zimbabwe Cricket interim coach South African Makhaya Ntini as his role model for his aggression and commitment to the game.
He represented Zimbabwe Under-19 at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia and spent a couple of seasons with the Matabeleland-based Westerns before heading to Mountaineers under the new franchise system.
The move was short-lived and in 2010 he returned to Matabeleland Tuskers. In October 2011, he got his first opportunity to play for the senior national team when he was selected for the third onde-day international against New Zealand. A three-wicket haul in that game earned Ncube a Test cap in Bulawayo.
Squad: Graeme Cremer (capt), Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Tino Mawoyo, Peter Moor, Richmond Mutumbami, Taurai Muzarabani, Njabulo Ncube, Donald Tiripano, Sean Williams
Online Reporter