YET to be capped at international level duo of batsman Tarisai Musakanda and seam bowler Carl Mumba, both of Midlands Rhinos have been named in a 20 member Zimbabwe cricket squad for the two Tests against Sri Lanka, a series which starts at Harare Sports Club at the end of the month.

The 21-year old Musakanda has notched up 607 runs in 12 first class matches since he made his debut in 2014 with a best score of 87 runs for Zimbabwe A in the second four day clash against Pakistan A which concluded at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday, the same day the Test squad was released by Zimbabwe Cricket.  Mumba, also aged 21 is a fast bowler who has so far collected 59 wickets in 16 first class matches and was also part of the Zimbabwe A squad which lost the four day match by eight wickets to Pakistan A in Bulawayo. His first class debut also came in 2014.

Pace bowlers Brian Vitori and Christopher Mpofu have been recalled to bolster Zimbabwe’s bowling attack. Left arm seamer Vitori with four Tests to his name has been given the green light to bowl again in international cricket after his bowling action was cleared in July. Lanky pace bowler Mpofu, with nine Test appearances has not played the prolonged version of the game at the highest level since 2011.

From the Test series played against New Zealand in Bulawayo, the pace bowling duo of Njabulo Ncube and Michael Chinouya have been left out. South Africa based Ncube did not pitch up for the second four day match against Pakistan A at Queens Sports Club for which he had been given an opportunity to impress the national selectors while Chinouya who made his Test debut against the Kiwis only managed to bowl 12 overs without taking a wicket in the first unofficial Test against the Pakistanis because he is allergic to jacaranda trees. He never bowled in the Pakistan A second innings which seems to have cost him a place in the squad for the Sri Lanka Tests.

The national selection panel, led by Tatenda Taibu decided to show faith in veteran Hamilton Masakadza despite his not so inspiring form with bat in hand. The 33-year old made 32 runs and a seven ball duck for Zimbabwe A in the drawn first four day match against Pakistan A at Queen Sports Club last week with the few fans who watched the match venting their frustration with his continued poor form and their advise to the seasoned batsman was to pave way for young talent.

Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka clash in two Tests, both in Harare. The first one runs from 29 October to 2 November with the second scheduled from 6 to 10 November. After that the two teams will be joined by West Indies for a triangular One Day International series whose final is set for Queens Sports Club on 27 November.

Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak will take charge of his country’s national cricket team against Sri Lanka after he was unveiled as Australian Davenell Whatmore’s successor as substantive coach.

Zimbabwe squad for Sri Lanka Tests: Graeme Cremer(captain), Tinotenda Mawoyo, Hamilton Masakadza, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Prince Masvaure, Carl Mumba, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller, John Nyumbu, Christopher Mpofu, Regis Chakabva(wicketkeeper), Richmond Mutumbami(wicketkeeper), Brian Vitori, Donald Tiripano, Peter Moor(wicketkeeper), Brian Chari, Taurai Muzarabani, Tarisai Musakanda.

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