The Zimbabwe Men’s team has left for their tour to Australia on Tuesday morning with a squad of 15 players. The Chevrons lost to India 3-0 in recently concluded One Day International series. But the team has got a major boost as they see the return of pacer Blessing Muzarabani. The fast bowler has fully recovered from a thigh muscle tear.
He is also the only addition to the squad that faced India in the recently concluded ODI series in Harare. Tanaka Chivanga and John Masara will remain at home with the non-travelling reserves.
Craig Ervine, Tendai Chatara, Wellington Masakadza and Milton Shumba are still sidelined by hamstring, collarbone fracture, shoulder tendon and quadricep injuries, respectively. In Ervine’s absence, Regis Chakabva will once again lead Zimbabwe in the three ODI matches against the Aussies scheduled for 28 and 31 August and 3 September in Townsville.
Zimbabwe has not visited Australia since the 2003-04 summer when they played two Tests. In the first of that series, Aussie opener Matthew Hayden score a then world-record 380 in Perth. Zimbabwe also played against Australia in an ODI tri-series with India.
But Zimbabwe’s last game against Australia in ODI cricket saw The Chevrons create an upset win in a 2014 tri-series played in Harare when a Michael Clarke-led side could only reach 9-209 in 50 overs. Then the home team chased down the target with 2 overs to spare.
Australia squad: Aaron Finch, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Zimbabwe squad: Burl Ryan, Chakabva Regis (captain), Evans Bradley, Jongwe Luke, Kaia Innocent, Kaitano Takudzwanashe, Madande Clive, Madhevere Wessly, Marumani Tadiwanashe, Munyonga Tony, Muzarabani Blessing, Ngarava Richard, Nyauchi Victor, Raza Sikandar, Williams Sean.
ODI Series v Zimbabwe
Sunday, 28 August: Riverway Stadium, Townsville.
Wednesday, 31 August: Riverway Stadium, Townsville.
Saturday, 3 September: Riverway Stadium, Townsville.
The series is included in the ODI Super League that determines qualification for next year's 50-over World Cup in India.