All-rounder Tinotenda Mutombodzi has been named captain of the Zimbabwe A

side to play South Africa in the first four-day match at the Harare Sports

Club starting this Saturday.

The Mashonaland Eagles man will lead a side that also has experienced

players like Tino Mawoyo, Shingi Masakadza, Regis Chakabva and Timycen

Maruma who are seeking to re-establish their careers in Test cricket.

The selectors have also opened the doors to young players such as Jaylord

Gumbie and Tarisai Musakanda while another opportunity has been presented

to the likes of Trevor Garwe, Natsai M’shangwe, Brian Chari and John Numbu.

But there was no place for Brian Vitori who was looking to make a return

after he was cleared by the International Cricket Council on concerns of

illegal bowling.

Zimbabwe selectors also dropped Tatenda Chikuni, Luke Jongwe, Roy Kaia,

Tatenda Mupunga, Forster Mutizwa and Michael Chinouya.

South Africa are expected to arrive on Wednesday with a 15-member squad led

by opening batsman Stephen Cook.

Zimbabwe Squad:

Tinotenda Mutombodzi (captain), Gerald Aliseni, Regis Chakabva, Brian

Chari, Trevor Garwe, Joylord Gumbie, Timycen Maruma, Shingirai Masakadza,

Prince Masvaure, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Tarisai Musakanda, Natsai M’shangwe,

Richard Muzhange, Victor Nyauchi, John Nyumbu

South Africa A Squad:

Stephen Cook (captain), Qaasim Adams, Theunis de Bruyn, Heino Kuhn, Sisanda

Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon

Philander, Dane Piedt, Dwaine Pretorius, Omphile Ramela, Stiaan van Zyl,

Dane Vilas and Hardus Viljoen.