20-member Test squad to face Sri lanka named Hamilton Masakadza
Hamilton Masakadza

Hamilton Masakadza

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
TOP order batsman Tarisai Musakanda and pace bowler Carl Mumba, both from Midlands Rhinos, have been included in a 20-member Zimbabwe cricket squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka which gets underway at Harare Sports Club at the end of the month.

The 21-year-old Musakanda has scored 607 runs in 12 first class matches since he made his debut in 2014, with a best score of 87 runs for Zimbabwe A in the second four-day clash against Pakistan A that ended at Queens Sports Club yesterday.

Mumba, also aged 21, is a fast bowler who has picked up 59 wickets in 16 first class matches and was also part of the Zimbabwe A squad, which lost the four-day match by eight wickets to Pakistan A in Bulawayo. His first class debut also came in 2014.

From the Test series against New Zealand in Bulawayo, pace bowlers Njabulo Ncube and Michael Chinouya have been omitted.

South African-based Ncube did not pitch up for the second four-day match against Pakistan A at Queens Sports Club for which he had been given an opportunity to impress the national selectors, while Chinouya, who made his Test debut against the Kiwis, bowled an unfruitful 12 overs in the first unofficial Test against the Pakistanis because he is allergic to jacaranda trees.

He never bowled in the Pakistan A second innings and this seems to have cost him a place in the squad.

The Tatenda Taibu-led selection panel decided to stick with veteran Hamilton Masakadza despite him not being impressive form with the bat. The 33-year-old made 32 runs and a seven-ball duck for Zimbabwe A in the drawn first four-day match against Pakistan A at Queen Sports Club last week. The few fans that pitched up to watch vented their frustration and advised the seasoned batsman to pave way for young talent.

Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka meet in two Tests in Harare. The first runs from October 29 to November 2, with the second scheduled for November 6-10.

The two teams will then be joined by West Indies for a one-day international triangular series, whose final is set for Queens Sports Club on November 27.

Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak will take charge of the Chevrons against Sri Lanka since being unveiled as Australian Davenell Whatmore’s successor as substantive head coach.

Zimbabwe squad for Sri Lanka Tests

Graeme Cremer (captain), Tinotenda Mawoyo, Hamilton Masakadza, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Prince Masvaure, Carl Mumba, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller, John Nyumbu, Christopher Mpofu, Regis Chakabva, Richmond Mutumbami(wicketkeeper), Brian Vitori, Donald Tiripano, Peter Moor(wicketkeeper), Brian Chari, Taurai Muzarabani, Tarisai Musakanda.

@Mdawini_29

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