Zimbabwe without Key Players for Warm-Up Match Against South…

Zimbabwe announces a 15-member squad for a warm-up match against South Africa, missing key players Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarava. Brian Bennett remains in the squad after his impressive century against England, with new players earning spots due to good performances. This match precedes the WTC final, helping South Africa prepare despite their IPL commitments.

Zimbabwe has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming warm-up match against South Africa, set to begin on Tuesday, June 3, in Sussex. This game comes just after Zimbabwe’s historic Test against England, where they opted to remain in England to assist South Africa’s preparations for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. However, the Zimbabwean side will be missing three crucial players: Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarava.

Muzarabani is currently in India, taking part in the IPL playoffs with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), while Raza is preparing for the Major League Cricket (MLC) season. Meanwhile, fast bowler Ngarava has been rested ahead of the WTC final. Noteworthy, Brian Bennett continues to remain in the squad, following an impressive century against England at Trent Bridge.

In their official statement, Zimbabwe Cricket stated, “The team includes Brian Bennett, the 21-year-old opening batter who grabbed headlines with a record-breaking performance against England, registering Zimbabwe’s fastest-ever century in Test cricket.” The absence of regulars Raza, Muzarabani, and Ngarava has led to the selection of Tanunurwa Makoni, Vincent Masekesa, and Alex Falao, who have all shown commendable form domestically and internationally.

This warm-up match not only serves as valuable preparation for South Africa ahead of their WTC final against Australia but also sets the stage for a two-match Test series between Zimbabwe and South Africa afterward. With players returning from the IPL, the Proteas are expected to field a strong lineup to finalize their game plan before the significant clash.

In summary, Zimbabwe is gearing up for a warm-up clash against South Africa, although they will be without key players Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarava. This match is crucial for South Africa, who will refine their strategies for the WTC final. The squad includes young talents like Brian Bennett, who recently made headlines with a stellar performance. The game serves as a platform for both teams leading up to their upcoming series.

Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com