Zimbabwe has named their 15-member squad for Ireland’s one-off Test which includes four uncapped players Brian Bennett, Jonathan Campbell, Clive Madande, and Joylord Gumbie.
Brian Bennett, Campbell gets Maiden call-up for Ireland Tests
Ireland is set to host Zimbabwe on a one-off test played between July 25-29. This will be the first test for Zimbabwe after their two-match home series against West Indies in 2023, where they lost 1-0.
Craig Ervine will be leading the squad which features senior players like Sean Williams, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarava. It will be also the first test to be played in Northern Ireland.
Ervine had played in 20 tests while Sean Williams played 14. Ireland has played only 8 tests since their first test in May 2018 and secured only one victory against Afghanistan after suffering defeats in other seven tests.
With Ireland expected to host Australia for three ODIs and T20Is, there is no official word as there is a fund-related issue for cricket Ireland. Players like Chamu Chibhabha, Innocent Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Milton Shumba, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Brad Evans, Brandon Mavuta, Kudzai Maunze, and Donald Tiripano who were part of the two-match test series against West Indies are excluded from the squad.
Currently, they are involved in a five-match test series on India’s tour of Zimbabwe 2024. With India leading the series 2-1, the fourth T20I match will be played on July 13.
Zimbabwe squad for Ireland One-Off Tests
Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Tendai Chatara, Tanaka Chivanga, Joylord Gumbie (wk), Roy Kaia, Clive Madande (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sean Williams
