Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOLLOWING the conclusion of the two-match Test series against South Africa earlier this week at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s focus now shifts to Harare where the chevrons are scheduled for a T20I Tri-Series against the Proteas and New Zealand.
The Tri-Series is scheduled to get underway on Monday at Harare Sports Club with the Chevrons up against South Africa. The series will run until July 26 with each team facing the others twice at the round-robin stage before the top two sides meet in the final.
The full strength Black Caps side touched down at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Thursday and are looking forward to an entertaining series.
Team captain Mitchell Santner said they are looking forward to a great series between three good teams. “We are looking forward to it. It’s nice to be back here in Zimbabwe, we haven’t been here for a few years. In 2016 we had a great tour and a great time and we are expecting something similar again against two really good teams. They have played a lot of good cricket and let’s hope it will be a great series, same with South Africa.
“It’s still a little bit up in the air at the moment (their preparations), a few boys are in America playing in the MLC, its finals time at the moment, there is another game tomorrow (Saturday), we can get a couple of people within. In terms of preparations, it’s not great but . . . everyone has been playing cricket, the boys have been playing there (USA), the boys have been playing in England so everyone has some matches under their belt,” said Santner.
Head coach Rob Walter echoed similar sentiments as the skipper.
“There are guys that are not here playing in the MLC, that said, we are not short of any cricket. The guys will be together in a couple of days’ time and that’s enough for us to get ready. We are looking forward to a great series between three good teams. It’s good to be here in Zimbabwe and playing. I know the fans will be here, there is always a good crowd here,” he said.
On Wednesday, opener Finn Allen was ruled out of the upcoming Tri-Series after sustaining a foot injury whilst playing for the San Francisco Unicorns in the Major League Cricket tournament.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will be led by Sikandar Raza in the series.
The Chevrons’ squad features a blend of experience and promising talent, including the return of key players from injury.
Left-arm pacer Richard Ngarava, who had been sidelined with a lower-back injury, is back to bolster the bowling attack alongside fellow seamer Blessing Muzarabani.
Young all-rounder Brian Bennett, who missed part of the recent Test series against South Africa in Bulawayo due to a concussion, has also been cleared and is available for action.
The squad also retains Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga and Tashinga Musekiwa, all of whom impressed during Zimbabwe’s last T20I assignment against Ireland in February.
Adding depth to the group are three uncapped players in the shortest format: wicketkeeper-batter Tafadzwa Tsiga, left-arm paceman Newman Nyamhuri and leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa.
T20I Tri-Series Fixtures:
Zimbabwe vs South Africa (Monday July 14), South Africa vs New Zealand (Wednesday July 16), Zimbabwe vs New Zealand (Friday July 18), Zimbabwe vs South Africa (Sunday July 20), New Zealand vs South Africa (Tuesday July 22), Zimbabwe vs New Zealand (Thursday July 24), Final (Saturday July 26)
Squads:
Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (Captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Tafadzwa Tsiga
South Africa: Rassie van der Dussen (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane
New Zealand: Mitch Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi. – @brandon_malvin
