Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S Test cricket hopes have been handed a major lift with the return of Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett and Ben Curran to the squad ahead of a tough two match series against New Zealand starting on July 30 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
All three missed last month’s bruising series against South Africa for different reasons, Raza and Curran were unavailable, while Bennett was sidelined by concussion protocols after a knock in the first innings of the opening Test.
Their comeback brings much needed depth to Zimbabwe’s batting line-up, which struggled against the World Test Championship holders. Sean Williams was often left to fight alone, although there were pockets of resistance from captain Craig Ervine, Nick Welch and Wellington Masakadza.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) confirmed a 16 man squad on Monday, featuring four changes. Along with the return of Raza, Bennett and Curran, the selectors recalled Tanunurwa Makoni and Roy Kaia. Making way are Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Prince Masvaure, Wessly Madhevere and Kundai Matigimu.
With Bennett now fully fit, Dion Myers, who stepped in as his replacement against South Africa, has been omitted.
The series marks the first red ball clash between Zimbabwe and New Zealand in nearly a decade. Their last meeting was in 2016 at the same Bulawayo venue, where the Black Caps cruised to a 2–0 series win.
In 17 Test encounters, New Zealand have dominated, winning 11. The remaining six ended in draws. Zimbabwe are yet to register a Test victory over the Kiwis.
The first meeting between the sides came in November 1992 at Queens Sports Club, where it ended in a draw. The tourists then claimed the second Test in Harare by 177 runs to seal that series.
From 1996 to 1997, the next four Tests were drawn. What followed was a one sided stretch, with New Zealand winning four consecutive Tests between 1998 and 2000. The only interruption to that dominance came in the form of a draw in the 2000 Boxing Day Test in Wellington.
Since then, the Black Caps have won six straight, including Zimbabwe’s heaviest defeat in the rivalry, a loss by an innings and 301 runs in Napier back in 2012.
New Zealand will arrive in Zimbabwe with two uncapped fast bowlers in Jacob Duffy and Matt Fisher, while regular captain Kane Williamson has ruled himself out to manage his workload. Tom Latham leads the side.
The first Test runs from July 30 to August 3, followed by the second from August 7 to 11, both at Queens.
Zimbabwe Test squad v New Zealand
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
New Zealand Test squad v Zimbabwe
Tom Latham (Captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young.
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu