Zimbabwe name veteran squad for Australia ODI series

Zimbabwe has named a veteran-heavy 15-member squad for a three-match ODI series against Australia, which begins Tuesday at Harare Sports Club. The series marks Australia's first ODI tour of Zimbabwe in 12 years. All-rounder Sikandar Raza will captain the side after regular skipper Richard Ngarava was ruled out with a lower back injury. Tanaka Chivanga is also unavailable due to an Achilles tendon problem, thinning Zimbabwe's pace options. Blessing Muzarabani will lead the bowling attack in their absence. The squad features several experienced players returning to the format. Brendan Taylor, who has not played an ODI since August 2025, has been included and will share wicketkeeping duties with Tadiwanashe Marumani. Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer is set to play his first ODIs since 2018 after returning from an arm injury. The selection means Zimbabwe will field a squad with four players who will be 40 or older by the end of the series: Raza, Taylor, Cremer, and Craig Ervine. Cremer turns 40 on September 19, between the second and third matches. Taylor is Zimbabwe's second all-time leading ODI run-scorer, trailing only Andy Flower.