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Zimbabwe Cricket has announced its 15-member full squad for its upcoming One Day International series against the Australian National Cricket Team. They have made a few changes due to injuries. Experienced spin-bowling all-rounder Sikandar Raza has been named as the captain of the team.
The newly announced ODI squad contains multiple seasoned cricketers, which has shaped the team in a stronger way and is providing much-needed balance as well. In their official release on September 13, Zimbabwe Cricket named Brendan Taylor and Graeme Cremer as inclusions and Richard Ngarava and Tanaka Chivanga as exclusions, with the latter sidelined by an Achilles tendon injury and unavailable for the series.
Zimbabwe Cricket has made a few forced changes
Along with these two players, wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande is another player who is not included in the team. He was one of the key parts of the team, which defeated the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in their most recent ODI assignment in Harare in July. Because of the injury to Richard Ngarava, who is still recovering from a lower-back injury, Sikandar Raza has been named as the leader of the team.
However, more than the missing names, the inclusions of Brendan Taylor and Graeme Cremer turned out to be the main attractions of the squad announced for the ODI series against Australia. The ODI series between these two nations will be held at Harare Sports Club. The matches are scheduled for 15, 18 and 20 September.
Graeme Cremer is set to make a comeback in ODIs
Graeme Cremer will play his first ODIs since 2018. The legspinner, who made a comeback from an arm injury in Namibia, made his international return last year. As the Zimbabwe cricket team is currently looking to strengthen their position in world cricket rankings, the cricket board is trying to utilise all of their resources within their grasp.
Undoubtedly, Graeme Cremer is one of the most decorated players in recent times, who has represented the team across formats. The group of Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor and Graeme Cremer will provide the team with a significant amount of experience and quality, which will be a necessary element for the team when they face a strong side like the Australia National Cricket Team.
Notably, the upcoming series against Australia will mark a special occasion in international cricket, as the Aussies will have to travel to play the three matches.
A milestone series for Zimbabwe vs Australia
According to a Cricinfo report, the upcoming ODI series will be the Chivrons' first ODI match-up against Australia since they travelled there in 2022 and the first time Australia have visited Zimbabwe in 12 years. However, only because of the strength and depth in the team, Australia will have the advantage over the home team.
Zimbabwe ODI squad for the Australia ODIs: Sikandar Raza (Captain), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere
