After successfully hosting three tours against India, New Zealand and Pakistan, Zimbabwe’s busy international season continues as Ireland and Afghanistan are both in the country for their respective matches against the hosts.
EDWARD MAKUZVA
Zimbabwe Cricket Media and Communications Manager Lovemore Banda said Ireland will play three One-Day International (ODI) matches against Zimbabwe, for the TSM and Zimbabwe Cricket Cup.
The ODI matches are on the 9th, 11th and 13th of October at Harare Sports Club.
Banda said Ireland will then play a four-day match against Zimbabwe A at the same venue, starting on Saturday the 17th of October.
‘’Today, the national selection panel announced the Zimbabwe squad for the TSM and Zimbabwe Cricket ODI series.
‘’The selectors have retained the core of the squad that was selected for the last ODI against Pakistan’’, said Banda.
Banda added, Zimbabwe top-order batsman Hamilton Masakadza has been left out because of poor form in the limited overs format of the game.
‘’Spin bowler Graeme Cremer, who sprained his left ankle during the second ODI against Pakistan, remains unavailable for selection, with suspected ligament damage. He may be out for a couple of weeks.
‘’Zimbabwe physiotherapist Anesu Mupotaringa said Cremer will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging scan to confirm the actual extent of the ligament damage.
‘’Top-order batsman Craig Ervine, who complained of left hamstring pain which was worsened by running during the second ODI against Pakistan, has been included in the 15-man squad after prolonged practice without much complaint’’, Banda explained.
He said Convener Kenyon Ziehl will be subject to a late fitness test tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan arrived in Bulawayo on Wednesday, and will start off their tour with three warm-up games against a Zimbabwe Chairman’s XI at Bulawayo Athletic Club. The 50-over matches are on the 8th, 10th and 12th of October.
After the warm-up matches, Afghanistan will stay on in Bulawayo for five ODI and two Twenty20 International (T20I) matches against Zimbabwe, at the Queens Sports Club.
The ODI matches are on the 16th , 18th , 20th , 22nd and 24th of October) and the two T20I matches on the 27th and 29th of October.
Zimbabwe will use their emerging players for the four-day match against Ireland and the three warm-up matches against Afghanistan, as part of the roadmap to give exposure to the next crop of players so they can challenge current senior players, hence improving the overall standard of play.
Ireland to Zimbabwe 2015 Itinerary (all matches at Harare Sports Club)
| Date | Match |
| Friday 9 October | 1st ODI |
| Sunday 11 October | 2nd ODI |
| Tuesday 13 October | 3rd ODI |
Zimbabwe squad for the TSM and Zimbabwe Cricket Cup versus Ireland
| NAME |
JERSEY NUMBER |
|
| 1 | Elton Chigumbura (Captain) | 47 |
| 2 | Sikandar Raza Butt | 24 |
| 3 | Brian Chari | 92 |
| 4 | Chamunorwa Chibhabha | 33 |
| 5 | Craig Ervine | 77 |
| 6 | Luke Jongwe | 12 |
| 7 | Neville Madziva | 07 |
| 8 | Wellington Masakadza | 05 |
| 9 | Tinotenda Mutombodzi | 21 |
| 10 | Richmond Mutumbami (W/keeper) | 89 |
| 11 | Taurai Muzarabani | 37 |
| 12 | John Nyumbu | 16 |
| 13 | Tinashe Panyangara | 48 |
| 14 | Malcolm Waller | 09 |
| 15 | Sean Williams | 14 |
