Craig Ervine will captain Zimbabwe squad in the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies at home. Ervine has been asked to captain the team while regular skipper Sean Williams is out with a fractured finger.
Apart from Williams, Zimbabwe will be missing a number of first-team players for the two games in Bulawayo. Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl will miss the series to fulfil franchise obligations, while pacers Tendai Chatara and Blessing Muzarabani are recovering from injuries.
The absence of these players has allowed uncapped players Tafadzwa Tsiga, Joylord Gumbie, Kudzai Maunze, and Tanunurwa Makoni to be included. Innocent Kaia, who recently made his limited-overs debut, is expected to make his Test debut during the series.
Donald Tiripano and Chamunorwa Chibhabha have been recalled, and Gary Ballance will help the middle order. Ballance, who recently returned to international cricket for Zimbabwe, played in the 50-over format as well as a Twenty20 International against Ireland. The 33-year-old has already appeared in 23 Tests for England, averaging 37.45 points per game.
The first Test begins on February 4 at the Queens Sports Club, followed by the second Test on February 12 at the same location.
Squad: Gary Ballance, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Tanaka Chivanga, Craig Ervine (captain), Bradley Evans, Joylord Gumbie, Innocent Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Wellington Masakadza, Kudzai Maunze, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Milton Shumba, Donald Tiripano, Tafadzwa Tsiga