On January 7, Zimbabwe Cricket has announced that Craig Ervine will be leading the national team for their three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka, starting January 16, with each game part of both teams’ campaign in the all-important ICC Super League.
The 36-year-old has been handed the captaincy duties once again after leading the country during their limited-overs tour of Ireland and Scotland in August-September last year, where Zimbabwe played their last set of 50-over internationals.
This will be Zimbabwe’s first ODI assignment after Brendan Taylor decided to retire from international cricket following the series versus Ireland. The squad, however, isn’t short of experience with middle-order batters Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams joining force with Ervine in the batting unit.
The selectors have also handed a comeback to all-rounder Tino Mutombodzi, while offering maiden call-ups to opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano and wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande.
All three ODIs, including the second scheduled for January 18 and the third on January 21, will be played at Pallekele. The series is important for both teams in the context of the Super League, which acts as a direct qualification event for the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Top 8 teams, including hosts India, make it through to the World Cup directly, while those finishing below in the 13-team competition will have to enter the global qualifier to try and earn the final two World Cup slots.
Sri Lanka are currently placed sixth in the standings after four wins, ten losses and a no-result in their 15 matches. Zimbabwe are languishing at the bottom with two wins, six losses and a no-result in their nine games.
While Sri Lanka will start as favourites for the series, especially with the return of Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella and Kushal Mendis, Zimbabwe can take heart and inspiration from their historic 3-2 ODI series win the last time they travelled to the Island nation back in 2017.
Zimbabwe ODI squad
Craig Ervine (capt), Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wesley Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Sean Williams
