Sean Ervine

Sean Ervine initially started as a medium-pace bowler, but it was his handy lower order batting that outnumbered his bowling.

Ervine made his first international appearance in 2004, in an ODI against England. The southpaw was an integral member of Zimbabwe’s World Cup squad in 2003 and matured into a fine batsman with decent outings in the Test arena as well. His last three Test innings were particularly half centuries. One of his most memorable innings was a gritty hundred against India in 2003-04 in the VB Series, when Ervine had almost pulled off a wonderfully scripted run-chase. However, further problems with Zimbabwe’s Cricket Board compelled him to bow out of the fold and he thus moved to Australia. Two seasons on the sidelines with Western Australia and he was called up to play in the Pura Cup.

Ervine made another move, this time towards England as he signed to play for Hampshire in 2009. Despite a successful season with the county, he moved back to his original country and announced his domestic comeback with a maiden first-class double hundred. He was then named in Zimbabwe’s ODI squad for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. However, Ervine rethought his decision and pulled out at the last minute, opting to return to county cricket. In 2012, he was part of Hampshire’s T20 side that won their domestic T20 competition, beating Yorkshire in the finals. Later that year, he was included in the Champions League T20 squad.