Zimbabwe Recall Malcolm Waller for India ODI Series
Zimbabwe made four changes to their ODI squad ahead of the three-match series against India starting in Harare on July 10.
Zimbabwe have recalled 30-year-old Malcolm Waller into their squad for the three-match ODI series against India. The first match will be played in Harare on July 10 (Friday). Elton Chigumbura will lead the Africans.
The Zimbabweans, who had toured Pakistan recently, made four changes in their ODI squad and Waller's inclusion will bolster the middle-order. He is also a part-time off-spinner. Waller was left out of the World Cup earlier this year. (India Must Beat Zimbabwe 3-0 to Retain Second Ranking)
Other players recalled are seam bowler Donald Tiripano, all-rounder Neville Madziva and wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva. (Rahane Sure of Strong Indian Show in Zimbabwe)
"In terms of balance, we have opted for nine batters, four seamers and two specialist spinners and our objective is to try and win the series. India has picked a strong side and we are taking them seriously," outgoing convener of selectors Givemore Makoni said in a press release from Zimbabwe Cricket on Wednesday. (Australia to Host India for ODI/T20 Series in January)
With a slightly smaller squad for the home series, the five players dropped from the 16-man selection that toured Pakistan in May are Charles Coventry, Craig Ervine, Roy Kaia, Tawanda Mupariwa and Christopher Mpofu.
"Mpofu and Kaia will be considered for the next matches in the series and Charles Coventry is in the mix for the Twenty20 series. Ervine is still nursing a hamstring injury," Makoni added.
After Friday's opening match in Harare, the teams will play again on Sunday and next Tuesday at the same venue. It is important for India to achieve a clean sweep in the series so that it can continue to occupy second position in the ICC ODI rankings.
The teams will also play a two-match Twenty20 series starting July 17, with the second game two days later.
Squad: Elton Chigumbura (Captain), Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Graeme Cremer, Neville Madziva, Hamilton Masakadza, Richmond Mutumbami, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Donald Tiripano, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller and Sean Williams.
(With agency inputs)