Zimbabwe Cricket name full-strength squad for Netherlands series

Photo Credit: Zimbabwe Cricket

Zimbabwe have announced a full-strength squad for the three-match one-day international (ODI) series against the Netherlands in Harare next week.

With Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl back from their franchise cricket commitments abroad, the side has also been bolstered by the return from injury of Sean Williams, Tendai Chatara and Blessing Muzarabani.

The five players all missed the Test series against the West Indies in Bulawayo last month, with Muzarabani having been sidelined since last November when his old quadriceps muscle injury flared up while playing for Zimbabwe at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

Williams fractured a finger while Chatara suffered a thigh muscle injury during the white-ball series versus Ireland in Harare in January.

They are now all fit again.

With Gary Ballance, Innocent Kaia, Wellington Masakadza and Richard Ngarava also available to face the Netherlands, Zimbabwe Head Coach Dave Houghton is excited to have a full-strength squad at his disposal.

“It’s great to have the whole team back and everyone fighting fit,” Houghton said.

“It’s naturally our intention to win the series – however, in doing so, it is also an opportunity to try out different combinations to achieve that goal, with an eye on the upcoming World Cup qualifier tournament,” he added, referring to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 that will be hosted in Zimbabwe from 18 June to 9 July to decide the final two participants for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India later in the year.

The ODI matches between Zimbabwe and the Netherlands – scheduled for 21, 23 and 25 March at Harare Sports Club – are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League that is serving as the main route for direct qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

The 13-team league competition will see the top eight sides, including India as the hosts, earn direct qualification to the global showcase.

Although both Zimbabwe and the Netherlands are already out of contention for direct qualification, their Super League meeting remains crucial as they start preparing for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023.

Tickets for the series are available online at www.webtickets.co.za and will also be sold at the venue on matchdays.

ZIMBABWE ODI SQUAD VERSUS NETHERLANDS:

Ballance Gary, Burl Ryan, Chatara Tendai, Ervine Craig (captain), Evans Bradley, Kaia Innocent, Madande Clive, Madhevere Wessly, Marumani Tadiwanashe, Masakadza Wellington, Mavuta Brandon, Muzarabani Blessing, Ngarava Richard, Raza Sikandar, Williams Sean

MATCH SCHEDULE – ZIMBABWE VERSUS NETHERLANDS ODI SERIES:

Name of Author: Zimbabwe Cricket

Zimbabwe Cricket

Zimbabwe Cricket is the governing body for cricket in Zimbabwe. A full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), ZC oversees the national team and organizes international Test, ODI, and T20 matches. It also manages domestic cricket competitions such as the Castle Logan Cup, Coca-Cola Metbank Pro50 Championship, and Stanbic Bank 20 Series.