Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira
Zimpapers Sports Hub
JUST in time for a crucial home series, Zimbabwe’s senior men’s cricket team has welcomed back two key players, Richard Ngarava and Brian Bennett, adding strength and experience to their T20I squad ahead of the Tri-Series against New Zealand and South Africa.
Ngarava returns after recovering from a lower back injury that side-lined him during the team’s tour of England in May.
He missed the recent two match Test series against South Africa in Bulawayo.
Bennett, meanwhile, suffered a concussion after taking a blow to the helmet from Kwena Maphaka in the first innings of the opening Test against the Proteas. That hit ruled him out of the rest of the series.
Now fit again, both players have been named in Zimbabwe’s 16-man squad for the Tri-Series, which begins Monday at Harare Sports Club.
The squad features a mix of established names and rising talent. Captain Sikandar Raza will lead a side that includes familiar faces like Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga and Tashinga Musekiwa, all of whom impressed during Zimbabwe’s last T20I series against Ireland in February.
Three uncapped players in the format also get a look in: wicketkeeper-batter Tafadzwa Tsiga, left-arm pacer Newman Nyamhuri and leg spinner Vincent Masekesa.
Zimbabwe kick-off their campaign on July 14 against South Africa. They’ll face New Zealand on July 18, then meet South Africa again on July 20. The round robin stage wraps up on July 24 with a second clash against the Kiwis.
The top two teams will square off in the final on July 26.
Zimbabwe Squad for T20I Tri-Series:
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
