Zimbabwe suffer huge blow!! Craig Ervine ruled out of cricket

The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team have suffered a massive blow as their skipper Craig Ervine has been ruled out of the ODI series against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team.

On Friday, August 29, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) confirmed via an official media release that Craig Ervine has sustained an injury that will keep him out of both ODI matches against Sri Lanka.

Ervine suffered a Grade II strain in his left calf - Zimbabwe Cricket

The first ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe is currently underway at Harare Sports Club, and the second game will be played at the same venue on August 31.

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Meanwhile, ZC released an official statement, confirming that the captain Craig Ervine suffered a calf injury on the eve of the series opener.

He has sustained a Grade II strain in his left calf and a chronic and resolving Grade I strain in his right calf. Sean Williams has replaced Craig Ervine as the captain for the ODI series.

"An MRI scan conducted on Thursday confirmed that Ervine suffered a Grade II strain in his left calf as well as a chronic and resolving Grade I strain in his right calf," ZC wrote in an official media release.

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We wish him all the best in his recovery - Sean Williams

Speaking at the toss in the first ODI, Sean Williams wished Craig Ervine all the best in his recovery and was hopeful of the batter returning to the action soon.

Sean Williams further said that the Zimbabwe players have performed well in Harare and against Sri Lanka and would be looking forward to playing a positive brand of cricket. He elaborated:

"We are going to bowl first. This is a really good wicket. If we are going to get our fast bowlers to get anything out of the surface, it's going to be early on in the morning. Craig (Ervine) has a grade 2 tear on one calf, and grade 1 on the other, we wish him all the best in his recovery.

"Very good to be back here. The support here is phenomenal. Our team plays really well here. We've done reasonably well against them (Sri Lanka), we've been unfortunate in a few cases. We fancy our chances. We want to play positive cricket. Wessly Madhevere comes in."

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said that they are in Zimbabwe to win the series comprehensively. He stated:

'We wanted to bowl first. We want to win the series, first thing. We want to score around 280-290. Looks a decent pitch. We are going with 7 batters, 4 bowlers and 3 all-rounders."

Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe Playing XIs for 1st ODI:

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Brendan Taylor(w), Sean Williams(c), Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu