Zimbabwe Loses Key Players: Raza, Curran, and Ngarava Out of Test Series

Zimbabwe Squad: Key Updates for South Africa Tests (from June 28, Bulawayo) ❌ Unavailable / Injured: Ben Curran (opener) – broken finger (hit by Kagiso Rabada in WTC warm-up) Richard Ngarava (new-ball bowler) – lower back injury (vs England) Sikandar Raza – unavailable due to MLC commitments Victor Nyauchi – left out due to expected spin-friendly conditions ✅ Notable Recalls / New Faces: Prince Masvaure (opener) – returns after last playing vs Ireland in 2023 Takudzwanashe Kaitano (top-order batter) – recalled after early 2024 appearances Vincent Masekesa (legspinner) – back after 5-wicket haul on debut in Bangladesh Trevor Gwandu (seamer) – returns from groin injury Kundai Matigimu (seamer, uncapped) – just 4 FC games; set for possible debut 🔑 Core Players: Craig Ervine (captain) Sean Williams (veteran middle-order batter) Blessing Muzarabani (pace spearhead) Wessly Madhevere (24, allrounder) – could have a breakout year Brian Bennett (21) – holds record for fastest Test ton by a Zimbabwean 🔍 Analysis: Top order concern: Without Curran, Zimbabwe may rely on experience (Masvaure) and solidity (Kaitano) rather than aggression up top. Bowling strategy shift: Dropping Nyauchi indicates confidence in spin at Bulawayo; Masekesa’s inclusion underlines that. Allround potential: Bennett and Madhevere provide Zimbabwe flexibility with both bat and ball—important in lower-scoring home Tests. Long-term build: Young quick Matigimu’s selection shows Zimbabwe is investing in depth, even without WTC involvement. 📅 Zimbabwe's Home Test Calendar – 2025 Despite being outside the World Test Championship, Zimbabwe will play 11 Tests this year — a massive uptick: ✅ 1 Test vs Ireland – Feb 2025 (already played) 🔜 2 Tests vs South Africa – from June 28 🔜 2 Tests vs New Zealand – post T20I tri-series 🔜 2 Tests vs Afghanistan – later in 2025 🔜 4 more home Tests (yet to be scheduled officially) 🏟️ Upcoming Tour Preview: South Africa in Zimbabwe Conditions: Spin-friendly Bulawayo pitches expected Tactics: Zimbabwe may play two specialist spinners (Masekesa + one), and a combination of experienced and raw pace Challenge: South Africa’s pace and batting firepower – even a depleted side – will test Zimbabwe's depth, especially without Raza and Curran