Zimbabwe name 15-man squad for tri-series; Cremer returns from injury
Synopsis
Graeme Cremer is back in Zimbabwe colours for the T20I tri-series against South Africa and Namibia starting 28 August in Windhoek — but the bigger concern is what the Chevrons are missing: pace spearhead Richard Ngarava (lower-back injury) and Tanaka Chivanga (Achilles surgery), both absent as an Australia ODI series looms next month.
Key Takeaways
Zimbabwe named a 15-man squad for the T20I tri-series against South Africa and Namibia, starting 28 August in Windhoek .
Graeme Cremer , 39 , returns after recovering from a left-arm injury; he had made a comeback in late 2025 following a seven-year absence.
Richard Ngarava (lower-back injury) and Tanaka Chivanga (Achilles tendon surgery) are both ruled out.
Brendan Taylor has not been selected; his last T20I was at the T20 World Cup 2026 against Oman.
South Africa field a second-string side led by Bjorn Fortuin ; Namibia are captained by Gerhard Erasmus .
The series final is scheduled for 6 September in Windhoek, with the top two sides from the double-round robin advancing.
Zimbabwe have named a 15-man squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series against South Africa and Namibia, with veteran leg-spinner Graeme Cremer returning to the side after recovering from a left-arm injury. Sikandar Raza will captain the Chevrons in the series, which gets underway on 28 August in Windhoek.
Key Inclusions and Absences
Cremer's return is the headline selection call. The 39-year-old had been absent from Zimbabwe cricket between 2018 and a comeback in late 2025, before featuring in the T20 World Cup 2026 held in India and Sri Lanka. His inclusion adds experience to a spin department that Raza's side will lean on heavily in Namibian conditions.
Two injury-enforced absentees cast a shadow over the squad announcement. Pace bowler Richard Ngarava — Zimbabwe's ODI and Test captain — is sidelined with a lower-back injury and is being monitored ahead of a scheduled ODI series against Australia next month. Fellow speedster Tanaka Chivanga has been ruled out entirely after undergoing surgery for an Achilles tendon injury.
Veteran batter Brendan Taylor has also not been selected. Taylor's last T20I appearance for Zimbabwe came in the T20 World Cup 2026 against Oman, though he did feature in Zimbabwe's one-off Test against Bangladesh in Harare — a match the Chevrons won.
South Africa and Namibia Squads
South Africa have named a second-string side for the tri-series, with Bjorn Fortuin set to lead. Only Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Kwena Maphaka from the full-strength setup feature in the squad.
Namibia will be captained by Gerhard Erasmus and field an experienced core including Jan Frylinck, JJ Smit, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Ruben Trumpelmann, and Bernard Scholtz.
Format and Schedule
The tri-series follows a double-round robin format, with the top two sides advancing to a final on 6 September in Windhoek. All three teams have played each other in recent global events, making this a competitive warmup block ahead of a busy bilateral calendar.
Zimbabwe's Full Squad
Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Innocent Kaia, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Newman Nyamhuri, Tafadzwa Tsiga.
With Ngarava's fitness under close watch and the Australia ODI series on the horizon, how Zimbabwe manage their pace resources over the coming weeks will be a storyline to follow.
Point of View
And the worrying absence of their two frontline pace bowlers ahead of a demanding schedule. Ngarava is not just a player — he is the ODI and Test captain, and his fitness ahead of the Australia series is a genuine concern. South Africa's decision to send a second-string side suggests the tri-series is being treated as a development exercise rather than a competitive priority, which could flatter Zimbabwe's results without truly testing their depth.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will captain Zimbabwe in the T20I tri-series against South Africa and Namibia?
Sikandar Raza will captain Zimbabwe's 15-man squad for the tri-series. The series begins on 28 August in Windhoek and concludes with a final on 6 September.
Why is Graeme Cremer's return significant for Zimbabwe?
Graeme Cremer, 39, had not played for Zimbabwe between 2018 and a comeback in late 2025, making his return a notable moment for the side. He subsequently featured in the T20 World Cup 2026 and is now back in the squad after recovering from a left-arm injury.
Which Zimbabwe players are ruled out of the tri-series due to injury?
Fast bowler Richard Ngarava is sidelined with a lower-back injury, while Tanaka Chivanga has been ruled out after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery. Both are key pace resources for Zimbabwe.
What format will the Zimbabwe-South Africa-Namibia tri-series follow?
The tri-series will be played in a double-round robin format, with all three teams facing each other twice. The top two sides will then contest the final on 6 September in Windhoek.
Why has Brendan Taylor not been selected for the tri-series?
Brendan Taylor has not been picked for the T20I tri-series; his last T20I for Zimbabwe was against Oman at the T20 World Cup 2026. He did, however, feature in Zimbabwe's one-off Test against Bangladesh in Harare, which the Chevrons won.
