Zimbabwe name squad for ODI series against Australia

Zimbabwe will welcome back fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani for the three-match ODI series against Australia starting on Sunday, the country’s first tour Down Under since 2003-04.

Fresh off a 3-0 ODI home series defeat against India, Muzarabani was the only addition to a 15-man squad as the side set off for Australia on Tuesday evening.

Regis Chakabva will once again captain the side in the absence of Craig Ervine, who remains sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

Less than 24 hours before taking off for Australia, Zimbabwe pushed India all the way in the final match of the series at the Harare Sports Club, falling just 13 runs short of the visitors’ 8-289.

The in-form Sikandar Raza (115 from 95 balls) struck a third ODI century in six games, and has emerged as the player to watch in the upcoming matches in Townsville.

It was the closest outcome of the series after India won by 10 wickets in the opening clash on Thursday, followed by a five-wicket triumph with 146 balls remaining in Saturday's second game.

Zimbabwe have not visited Australia since the 2003-04 summer when they played two Tests – the first of which saw Matthew Hayden score a then world-record 380 in Perth – and featured in a ODI tri-series with India.

Their last meeting against Australia in ODI cricket saw Zimbabwe spring an upset win in a 2014 tri-series played in Harare, when a Michael Clarke-captained side could only reach 9-209 in 50 overs - a target that was chased down with two overs to spare.

The upcoming series was initially due to be played in mid-2020, which was then rescheduled to last year, however COVID-19 restrictions meant both of those attempts did not eventuate.

The three matches in Far North Queensland will not only be the first time a senior Australia men's side has played in Townsville, but represent Australia’s first home ODI series in almost two years.

Aaron Finch’s side have not hosted an ODI series on home soil since they defeated India 2-1 in late 2020, and will go in with a near full-strength squad.

While Test captain Pat Cummins has been rested for both the Zimbabwe matches and the three-ODI series against New Zealand that immediately follows (in Cairns from September 6), the likes of David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc have all been named.

The series forms part of the ODI Super League that determines qualification for next year's 50-over World Cup in India.

Australia squad: Aaron Finch, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Zimbabwe squad: Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva (captain), Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.

Men's Dettol ODI Series v Zimbabwe

Sunday Aug 28: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Wednesday Aug 31: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Saturday Sep 3: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Buy #AUSvZIM tickets here