In preparation for the forthcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, Ben Curran and Sikandar Raza have rejoined Zimbabwe’s red-ball team. When Zimbabwe Cricket sent a press release on Monday, July 21, announcing a 16-member squad, the news was already known.
South Africa and Zimbabwe recently played a two-match Test series. Raza chose to participate in the just finished Major League Cricket, skipping the Test matches.
However, Ben Curran missed the entire series since he broke his hand during the May one-off Test match against England.
The fact that Brian Bennett has been cleared to play is just another positive development for Zimbabwe. In the series opener against the Proteas, the opening batsman was struck in the helmet and sustained a concussion. Tanunurwa Makoni and Roy Kaia have also rejoined the team. Wessly Madhevere, Kundai Matigimu, Prince Masvaure, and Takudzwanashe Kaitano were left off of the final roster.
The Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo will host both Test matches. The start date of the series is set for Wednesday, July 30. In contrast to their dismal performance against the Proteas, the Craig Ervine-led team will be hoping to perform far better.
A few weeks ago, they lost badly in both of their games against South Africa. 328 runs and 236 runs, respectively, were the margins of defeat. Bulawayo had also hosted these two games.
This next match will mark Zimbabwe’s first encounter with the Kiwis in this specific game style in nine years. The last time they faced off in Test cricket was in July and August of 2016.
Craig Ervine (C), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Sean Williams, Trevor Gwandu, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, and Nicholas Welch make up the 16-man squad for the Test series against New Zealand.
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