Zimbabwe pacer Tendai Chatara ruled out of Sri Lanka Tests

Tendai Chatara, the Zimbabwean fast bowler, won’t be taking part in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The 28-year-old hasn’t recovered from a bicep injury that he developed during a domestic match. The pacer’s last competitive match was against the Rhinos, representing the Mountaineers. In that game, he only bowled three overs in the first innings, getting one wicket.

The speedster was earlier named in the provisional squad for the two-match Test series versus the Lankans. His omission has meant that the likes of Victor Nyauchi and Charlton Tshuma are likely to make their Test debut. Chatara has been one of Zimbabwe’s key elements in the pace bowling department. The seamer made his Test debut against the West Indies way back in March 2013.

In the longest format, Chatara has plied his trade in nine matches and has picked up 24 wickets. At the first-class level, the speedster has 191 wickets from 53 contests. He last played a Test match back in November 2018 against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Sean Williams to lead 

The squad for the upcoming series will be led by all-rounder Sean Williams. Carl Mumba has also earned a recall in the national team. The 24-year-old all-rounder has been out of international cricket since sustaining a knee injury against Sri Lanka in 2017.  The squad has five debutants. Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis and Regis Chakabva have made comebacks.

Kyle Jarvis is their most experienced pacer with Donald Tiripano also having quite some experience at the highest level. The series gets underway on Sunday, January 19 at the Harare Sports Club. The second and final Test is scheduled to start on Monday, January 27 at the same venue.

Zimbabwe Cricket has had their travails after being suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC). However, later the ban was lifted and Zimbabwe on October. Their previous international assignment was in the tri-series in Singapore, featuring the hosts and Nepal.

Here is Zimbabwe’s Squad: 

Sean Williams (c), Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Kevin Kasuza, Timycen Maruma, Prince Masvaure, Brian Mudzinganyama, Carl Mumba, Ainsley Ndlovu, Victor Nyauchi, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano, Charlton Tshuma