Zimbabwe names 15-player squad for Australia ODI series with Raza as captain
Zimbabwe Cricket has announced a 15-member squad for the three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Australia at Harare Sports Club, scheduled to begin on September 15. The matches will take place on September 15, 18 and 20.
Sikandar Raza will captain the side as regular skipper Richard Ngarava continues to recover from a lower-back injury, according to the Zimbabwe Cricket website. Ngarava and Tanaka Chivanga, who is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury, have both been ruled out of the series. Wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande is the only other absentee from the squad that faced Bangladesh during Zimbabwe’s most recent ODI series in Harare in July.
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Zimbabwe will welcome back experienced players Brendan Taylor and Graeme Cremer. Alongside Craig Ervine and Raza, their return adds valuable experience to the squad ahead of the challenge posed by Australia.
The team’s top-order batting options include Brian Bennett, Ben Curran and Innocent Kaia, while Blessing Muzarabani will lead the pace attack, supported by Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri and Ernest Masuku. Cremer and Wellington Masakadza are the specialist spin bowlers, with all-rounders Ryan Burl and Wessly Madhevere providing additional depth. Taylor and Tadiwanashe Marumani will share wicketkeeping duties.
The series marks Australia’s first ODI tour of Zimbabwe in more than a decade. The two teams last met in an ODI on Zimbabwean soil during a tri-series involving South Africa in August and September 2014.
This series is also significant for Zimbabwe’s preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which the country will co-host alongside South Africa and Namibia.
The Zimbabwe squad for the ODI series against Australia is: Sikandar Raza (captain), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza and Wessly Madhevere.
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