Graeme Cremer’s second act with Zimbabwe continues. The 39-year-old leg-spinner, who ended a seven-year absence in October, has been named in a 15-strong squad for February’s T20 World Cup.
Cremer bowled seven tidy overs during the recent tri-series in Pakistan, taking 2 for 44, and the selectors believe his control and experience remain valuable. “Graeme gives us options through the middle overs,” convener of selectors David Mutendera said in a board release. “He has seen most situations before and that knowledge can steady a young attack.”
Blessing Muzarabani also returns after the back trouble that kept him out of the Pakistan trip. The tall seamer joins Richard Ngarava at the head of the pace group, while Wellington Masakadza partners Cremer in the spin department. Left-armer Newman Nyamhuri is the only player from the Pakistan tour to miss out.
Clive Madande retains his place after topping the domestic T20 competition – 152 runs at an average of 76 and a strike-rate above 138. His form keeps pressure on veteran wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor, who continues his own comeback. Taylor’s numbers since returning are mixed: 251 runs in 13 T20Is at 22.81, though 123 of those came in a single knock against Botswana.
Captain Sikandar Raza again shoulders the all-round burden. “Our job is to make sure the younger lads feel ready the moment the tournament starts,” he noted during a media call. Raza will be supported by middle-order stroke-makers Ryan Burl and Tony Munyonga.
Zimbabwe slot into Group B alongside Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Oman. All group matches are in Sri Lanka; the opener against Oman falls on 9 February. Progression demands finishing in the top two – a stern test, yet not impossible given Zimbabwe’s recent upward curve.
Squad: Sikandar Raza (capt), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Brad Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor.
Short on hype but long on opportunity, Zimbabwe travel to the tournament with an even blend of seasoned heads and ambitious rookies. How quickly that mix settles in Sri Lankan conditions will decide whether the group stage becomes another footnote or the start of a deeper run.
