Online Reporter
ALL-ROUNDER Sikandar Raza has returned to the Test squad ahead of the upcoming two-match series against New Zealand at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, starting next week.
Raza, who missed the recent series against South Africa while in the USA, is part of a 16-man squad for the series whose first match takes place from 30 July to August 3, with the second following from August 7 to 11.
There are four changes to the Zimbabwe side that featured in the recent Test series against South Africa.Ben Curran, who also missed the South Africa matches due to a hand fracture, returns to the fold after regaining full fitness.
Raza and Curran are joined in the squad by Roy Kaia and Tanunurwa Makoni, with the quartet of Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Prince Masvaure, Wessly Madhevere and Kundai Matigimu making way.In a further boost, Brian Bennett, who missed part of the South Africa series after suffering a concussion, is back and, as a result, Dion Myers, who had been drafted in as cover, has been left out.
The team will be led by Craig Ervine, with experienced campaigners Sean Williams and Blessing Muzarabani providing key support in the batting and bowling departments respectively.
The upcoming series will mark the first Test meeting between Zimbabwe and New Zealand since July-August 2016, when the visitors claimed a 2-0 series win at the same venue in Bulawayo.
ZIMBABWE SQUAD:
Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams. – Sports Reporter/ZimCricket
