Zimbabwe have named a 16-player squad for their upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, set to begin on July 30 in Bulawayo. Several senior players return to the squad after missing the recent series against South Africa. This includes experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza and top-order batters Roy Kaia and Tanunurwa Makoni. Also returning is young opener Brian Bennett, who was one of the standout performers during Zimbabwe’s drawn Test series in Bangladesh earlier this year. Bennett finished as the second-highest run-scorer in that series and helped Zimbabwe win their first Test against Bangladesh since 2018. He also scored a century against England in the one-off Test at Trent Bridge in May. The 21-year-old missed part of the South Africa series due to a concussion but has now recovered and is available for the New Zealand series.
Squad for New Zealand series
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.
To accommodate the returning players, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Prince Masvaure, Wessly Madhevere and Kundai Matigimu have been left out from the squad that featured against South Africa. New Zealand and Zimbabwe are currently participating in a T20I tri-series alongside South Africa as part of their preparations.
Schedule for New Zealand Test series
- 1st Test: 30 July – 3 August, Bulawayo
- 2nd Test: 7 – 11 August, Bulawayo
