Sikandar Raza to captain Zimbabwe in Australia ODIs as Richard Ngarava ruled out injured

Zimbabwe's regular ODI captain Richard Ngarava has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia due to a lower back problem. Sikandar Raza, who serves as Zimbabwe's T20I captain, will take charge of the side in Ngarava's absence. The first ODI is scheduled for September 15 in Harare, with the remaining two matches to follow on September 18 and September 20.

Ngarava had already missed the recent T20I tri-series in Namibia with the same lower back concern, and the injury is understood to be serious enough that it could keep him out beyond the Australia series. Zimbabwe are due to travel to the UAE in October for a tri-series involving Afghanistan and Bangladesh, followed by two Tests against Afghanistan, making Ngarava's fitness a significant concern for the remainder of their 2026 schedule.

Tanaka Chivanga, another pace option for Zimbabwe, is also unavailable for the series due to an Achilles concern, further thinning the fast-bowling resources available to Raza.

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How does Ngarava's absence shape Zimbabwe's bowling attack?

With Ngarava missing, Blessing Muzarabani will lead the Zimbabwe pace attack. Brad Evans and Newman Nyamhuri are also included in the bowling group. Legspinner Graeme Cremer, who returned from an arm injury during the Namibia tri-series, is set to play his first ODIs since 2018. Cremer made his international return last year as Zimbabwe pursued qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe beat Australia at that tournament on their way to the Super Eight stage and secured automatic qualification for the 2028 edition.

This will be Zimbabwe's first ODI meeting with Australia since they toured there in 2022, and the first time Australia have visited Zimbabwe in 12 years, adding further context to the significance of the series for the hosts.

What does the batting line-up look like for the series?

Veteran batter Brendan Taylor has been included in the squad and will share wicketkeeping duties with Tadiwanashe Marumani. Taylor has not played an ODI in over a year, his last appearance coming against Sri Lanka in August 2025. His inclusion means Clive Madande misses out. Craig Ervine is also named in the middle order, and his presence alongside Taylor is expected to provide greater depth in a batting unit that has leaned heavily on Brian Bennett in recent times.

Zimbabwe squad for the Australia ODI series:

Sikandar Raza (capt), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere.