Zimbabwe suffered a major setback ahead of their opening ODI against Sri Lanka in Harare, as skipper Craig Ervine has been ruled out of the two-match ODI series due to a calf injury.
According to the Zimbabwe Cricket Board, an MRI scan conducted on Thursday (August 28) revealed that Ervine suffered a Grade 2 strain in his left calf and a chronic and resolving Grade 1 strain in his right calf. The injury was sustained on the eve of the series opener at Harare Sports Club.
With Ervine sidelined, experienced all-rounder Sean Williams has been handed the captaincy for the ODI series. Zimbabwe, however, are yet to name a replacement in the squad.
Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka will play a short limited-overs series comprising two ODIs and three T20Is between August 29 and September 7, with all matches scheduled in Harare.
This injury comes as another blow for Zimbabwe, who were already banking on senior players like Ervine and Brendan Taylor to provide stability against Sri Lanka.
