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

Raza to lead Zimbabwe pace attack as Ngarava injury looms large

Regular ODI skipper Richard Ngarava has been ruled out of the 3-match ODI series against Australia (Sept 15, 18, 20 in Harare) with a lower back issue. Sikandar Raza, our T20I captain, takes the reins. Here's the read.

The injury is a bigger deal than it looks. Ngarava already missed the Namibia T20I triseries with the same problem, and this is serious enough to potentially extend beyond the Australia tour. Factor in the UAE triseries (Afghanistan & Bangladesh) in October, plus two Tests vs Afghanistan, and his fitness becomes a genuine asset-management question for the rest of 2026. Tanaka Chivanga's also out (Achilles) — so the fast-bowling options are getting thin fast.

Who fronts the attack? Blessing Muzarabani takes over as lead pace option, with Brad Evans and Newman Nyamhuri in the mix. Interesting pick: legspinner Graeme Cremer returns to the ODI side after his first since 2018 (arm injury). A seasoned finger spin option down under could matter if conditions slow.

Batting reshuffle worth noting. Veteran Brendan Taylor's back in the squad, splitting WK duties with Tadiwanashe Marumani. He hasn't ODId since Aug 2025 vs Sri Lanka — so this is a squad-strength call, not a form one. Clive Madande misses out. Craig Ervine adds middle-order depth after Zimbabwe leaned hard on Brian Bennett lately.

Context matters. This is Zimbabwe's first ODI vs Australia since 2022, and Australia's first visit in 12 years. Not exactly a dead rubber.

Full squad: 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.

My take? With Ngarava and Chivanga both sidelined, Zimbabwe's pace battery is stretched. Raza's a solid cricketing brain to hand the armband, but the bowling depth concern is real — and that's what I'll be watching all series long.

— Ishaan_K

Source: Crictracker