ZC Announces 15-Man Squad to Face India in T20 Series


By Perkins-Tino Bare

Zimbabwe announced a 15 man squad to take on India in the T20 series with the first of those legs on this Friday at the Harare Sports Club. The 15 will represent the Chevrons in the next format in the series against India, which is a two match T20 series to be played at the Harare Sports Club on Friday and Sunday.

There are no major changes to the squad that was whitewashed in the ODI series with Elton Chigumbura captaining the squad. The hard-hitting skipper is expected to come in handy for the Chevrons in the Two-Match series which are ending on Sunday.

The squad also includes Sikander Raza and Chamu Chibhabha and the two will obviously be amongst the top order in the batting line-up. Both batsman look fit it will therefore help them in just clearing that boundary. Chamu Chibhabha has had a wonderful One Day Series after scoring back to back half-centuries and that is left is to see if he`ll be able to bring it into the T20 format. Ever since his return he has been able to set himself up as a reliable batsman.

Charles Coventry and Craig Ervine also make a return to the squad and Charles `Choppa` Coventry has to be the welcome revelation in this squad as he is probably one of our top batsman in this format and again, I`m just not sure about his fitness levels for though he has been in South Africa he hasn`t been getting enough in terms of game-time. He is however a good player especially in the T20 format, he does bring and if he is able to bring his A-Game , we are surely in for a treat at the Harare Sports Club come 1pm.

Craig Ervine passed his fitness test earlier this week and he should also come in handy with the ball in hand. He is expected to look up to Neville Madziva who has also had a wonderful ODI series as he posted his career best figures in one of the matches.

Hamilton Masakadza however makes a rare appearance in the T20 squad that was released especially after a poor outing in all 3 ODI`s which saw him posting single figures regularly. Though the coach has kept his faith in him, he is just not posting those runs and this adds ground to the whole argument of Zimbabwe Cricket maintaining its faith in the old guys even if they are not delivering the results. Since he played poorly in the ODI`s, it surely does not get any better with the T20`s and I don`t really know what his contribution to the team is going to be since he`s out of form.      

Christopher Mpofu makes a return to the squad whilst Taurai Muzarabani and John Nyumbu get to have a go. John Nyumbu is particularly one player to look out for, he bowls brilliantly and last time he played he was high on confidence. It`s good to see the two getting to have a chance break into the team especially at a time that most of our bowlers are injured but just wonder why they did not get any chance earlier because both of them are decent and all they need is some game-time to bolster their skill.

Donald Tiripano and Prosper Utseya maintain their places in the squad which shows a bit of stability from the bowling coach Douglas Hondo. Brian Vitori and Malcolm Waller as well maintained their places in the squad which then perhaps pairs up Vitori and Mpofu as the opening bowlers or maybe just add Tiripano to that fix as he has also gained that confidence.

Chevrons Probable starting XI : Elton Chigumbura, Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha, Sikander Raza, Charles Coventry, Prosper Utseya, Craig Ervine, Neville Madziva, Donald Tiripano, John Nyumbu, Brian Vitori

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