ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) selectors yesterday named six uncapped players in the national training squad of 25 players ahead of the lone Test and three one-day internationals (ODIs) against the world’s number one ranked Test side South Africa.
DANIEL NHAKANISO SPORTS REPORTER The Givemore Makoni-led selection committee opted for some new blood in the squad, quite a huge gamble for a side heading into a showdown against the world’s number one Test team. Luke Jongwe, the 19-year-old promising all-rounder was named in the side after impressing for the Zimbabwe A side playing against Afghanistan.
The other players in the squad yet to be capped for Zimbabwe in all three formats of the game include spinner John Nyumbu, the seam of Steve Chimhamhiwa, Taurai Muzarabani and Cuthbert Musoko as well as all-rounder Neville Madziva.
Donald Tiripano, the 26-year-old seamer, earned all three ODI caps during the series against Afghanistan while Michael Chinouya played two ODIs.
After new coach Stephen Mangongo said he was ready to drop senior players if their experience did not translate into improved results for the team, it won’t be a surprise if some of the new faces in the squad make it into the team to play South Africa.
The other notable inclusion was that of 35-year-old top order batsman Mark Vermeulen, who last played international cricket for Zimbabwe in an ODI against South Africa in 2009.
After an impressive domestic season and commendable performances for the Zimbabwe A against Afghanistan, Vermeulen looks set play in the one-off Test showdown against the Proteas at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
Opener, Tino Mawoyo, who had been a major doubt for the South Africa Test due to a groin injury was named in the side after featuring for the Zimbabwe A against Afghanistan at the weekend.
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There was, however, no place in the squad for pace bowler Brian Vitori, who remains out of action because of an ankle injury after being involved in a road accident last month.
With Vitori absent, Tendai Chatara looks set to spearhead the Zimbabwe bowling attack together with Tinashe Panyangara.
Skipper Brendan Taylor will take charge of the team in the lone Test match which gets underway on Saturday at Harare Sports Club while Elton Chigumbura will assume the captaincy in the ODIs which will start at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on August 17.
In a statement, ZC said the South African side would arrive in the country tomorrow.
“The Proteas will tour Zimbabwe from the 6th of August to the 7th of September, as a busy international period for Zimbabwe cricket continues. South Africa will arrive in Harare just after mid-day on Wednesday, for the tour that begins with a one-off Test match at Harare Sports Club starting on Saturday. The tour will then move to the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo for three ODI matches. These will be on August the 17, 19 and 21.
“After that, Zimbabwe and South Africa will return to the capital city to join Australia for a triangular ODI series at Harare Sports Club.
“The three sides will play each other twice, and the top two teams after that will meet in the final at the same venue on the 6th of September,” ZC said in a statement yesterday.
Zimbabwe’s 25-member squad: Tino Mawoyo, Vusi Sibanda, Mark Vermeulen, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor (Captain), Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura, Malcolm Waller, Regis Chakabva, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Natsai M’shangwe, Prosper Utseya, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Steven Chimhamhiwa, Cuthbert Musoko, Luke Jongwe, Tinashe Panyangara, Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chatara, Shingi Masakadza, Michael Chinouya, Neville Madziva, Taurai Muzarabani , Lovemore Gumunyu-Manatsa
