Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Chevrons have made three changes ahead of the four-day match against South Africa set for Arundel Castle Cricket Ground, in Sussex, England, starting tomorrow.
South Africa are using the unofficial Test match, a first-class game, as preparation for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia starting on June 11 at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
In a team announced on Saturday evening, from players that were part of the England test match, the Chevrons team will be without all-rounder Sikandar Raza and bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava.
Muzarabani is in India for the Indian Premier League (IPL), where his Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) side reached the final of the world’s most prestigious franchise league, their first since 2016.
Ngarava picked up an injury in the historic Test against England.
They have been replaced by Tanunurwa Makoni, Vincent Masekesa and Falao, all rewarded for their impressive domestic and international form.
Makoni, a top-order batter with two Test caps, had a prolific season in the Logan Cup, where he notched up two centuries and three fifties, ranking among the tournament’s top four batters.
Leg-spinner Masekesa, fresh off a five-wicket haul on his Test debut in Bangladesh last month, was the leading bowler in the Logan Cup, reaffirming his credentials as one of Zimbabwe’s most promising spin options.
Completing the trio is Alex Falao, a 21-year-old fast bowler who is yet to make his international debut but impressed with both the Zimbabwe ‘A’ side and in domestic cricket, where he finished among the top five wicket-takers in the Logan Сup.
The Chevrons team will be led by veteran Craig Ervine.
With the Proteas using this match as part of their preparations for the WTC final, for Zimbabwe, the warm-up encounter — to be played behind closed doors — also acts as a dress rehearsal ahead of their two-match Test series at home against South Africa, slated for June and July in Bulawayo.
Meanwhile, ZC announced that a Zimbabwe Women’s High Performance Centre (HPC) squad will represent the country at the upcoming Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament, set to run from June 3 to June 14 in Kigali, Rwanda.
ZIMBABWE SQUAD FOR SOUTH AFRICA
WARM-UP MATCH:
Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Alex Falao, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tanunurwa Makoni, Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams
ZIMBABWE WOMEN’S HPC SQUAD FOR KWIBUKA WOMEN’S T20 TOURNAMENT:
Nomvelo Sibanda (captain), Christabel Chatonzwa, Cathrine Chitombo, Chiedza Dhururu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Lindokuhle Mabhera, Nokutenda
Makaniwa, Mitchel Mavunga, Salem Museka, Natasha Mthomba, Passionate Munorwei, Vimbai Mutingwindu, Kelly Ndiraya, Loryn Phiri, Loreen Tshuma
