Zimbabwe Name 16-man Squad for Upcoming Test Serie...

Zimbabwe Name 16-man Squad for Upcoming Test Series Against New Zealand

Witness Runodada Zim Now reporter

Zimbabwe Cricket has named a 16-man squad for the highly anticipated two-match Test series against New Zealand, set to be played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The series will mark the return of red-ball international cricket between the two nations for the first time since 2016, when New Zealand secured a 2-0 series victory at the same venue.

The first Test is scheduled to take place from 30 July to 3 August, with the second match following shortly after from 7 to 11 August 2025.

The squad announcement sees four changes from the team that recently faced South Africa. Left-handed batter Ben Curran returns to the national fold after recovering from a hand fracture that ruled him out of the South Africa series.

Also making their way back into the side are experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza, middle-order batter Roy Kaia, and opening batsman Tanunurwa Makoni.

Making way for the returning players are Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Prince Masvaure, Wessly Madhevere, and seamer Kundai Matigimu.

Zimbabwe has also been bolstered by the return of Brian Bennett, who was sidelined during the latter part of the South Africa series due to a concussion. His recovery means Dion Myers, who had been included as cover, has been omitted from the current squad.

The team will be captained by veteran batter Craig Ervine, with senior players Sean Williams and Blessing Muzarabani expected to play crucial roles in the batting and bowling departments, respectively.

The full squad includes 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, and Sean Williams.