Taylor, Cremer return as Zimbabwe name 15-man squad for Australia ODIs
Synopsis
Australia's first ODI visit to Harare in over a decade doubles as a landmark moment for Zimbabwe cricket — not just for the fixture itself, but for the return of two veterans. At 40, Brendan Taylor is 81 runs away from becoming Zimbabwe's all-time leading ODI run-scorer, and Graeme Cremer is back in ODIs for the first time since 2018. With World Cup 2027 on the horizon, Zimbabwe are quietly building something.
Key Takeaways
Zimbabwe face Australia in a three-match ODI series at Harare Sports Club on 15 , 18 , and 20 September — Australia's first ODI in Harare since 2014 .
Brendan Taylor , 40, returns to the ODI squad and needs just 81 runs to surpass Andy Flower as Zimbabwe's all-time leading ODI run-scorer.
Graeme Cremer is set for his first ODI appearance since 2018 , having last faced Australia in the 2011 World Cup .
Sikandar Raza leads the side in the absence of regular captain Richard Ngarava , who is recovering from a lower-back injury.
Tendai Chatara and Tanaka Chivanga are both absent with Achilles tendon injuries; Clive Madande has also been left out.
Zimbabwe view the series as a key benchmark in their preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup .
Zimbabwe have named a 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia, set to be played at Harare Sports Club on 15, 18, and 20 September — Australia's first ODI visit to Harare in over a decade. The squad, captained by Sikandar Raza in the absence of the injured Richard Ngarava, features the high-profile returns of veteran wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor and former captain Graeme Cremer.
Taylor and Cremer's Surprise Returns
The most headline-grabbing element of the squad is the recall of two familiar faces. Brendan Taylor, now 40, is back in Zimbabwe's ODI setup after featuring in two matches against Sri Lanka in 2025, which itself followed a four-year international absence. Zimbabwe's second-highest ODI run-scorer, Taylor stands just 81 runs away from overtaking Andy Flower as the country's all-time leading run-getter in the format — a milestone that could come during this very series.
Graeme Cremer's inclusion is equally notable. The former Zimbabwe captain is poised to make his first ODI appearance since 2018, having recently been part of the country's T20I setup, including at the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Notably, Cremer's only previous ODI against Australia came during the 2011 World Cup.
Absentees and Injury Concerns
Zimbabwe will be without several key players for the series. Regular skipper Richard Ngarava continues to recover from a lower-back injury, while pace bowlers Tendai Chatara and Tanaka Chivanga are both sidelined with Achilles tendon injuries. Wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande, who featured in Zimbabwe's most recent ODI series against Bangladesh in July, has also not been included in the squad.
Squad Composition and Key Players
Tadiwanashe Marumani provides an alternative wicketkeeping option in Madande's absence. The principal batting choices alongside Taylor and Raza include Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, and Innocent Kaia. The bowling attack will be led by Blessing Muzarabani, with pace support from Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, and Ernest Masuku. Cremer and Wellington Masakadza add specialist spin, while Ryan Burl and Wessly Madhevere bolster the all-round options.
Historical Significance and 2027 World Cup Context
The series carries historical weight beyond the playing personnel. Australia last played an ODI in Zimbabwe in 2014, during a triangular series, making this a long-awaited bilateral moment for Harare. More broadly, Zimbabwe have framed the series as a critical gauge of their readiness as they build toward the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the opportunity to test themselves against one of the world's leading ODI sides at home is one the team's management will treat with considerable seriousness. With Raza at the helm and two experienced former internationals reintegrated, Zimbabwe's selectors appear to be blending youth with proven quality ahead of what promises to be a defining few years for the country's cricket.
Point of View
And Cremer's return in spinning conditions at Harare makes tactical sense against an Australian side that hasn't played there in over a decade. But the more interesting story is structural: with Ngarava, Chatara, and Chivanga all absent, this squad tells you as much about Zimbabwe's injury depth problem as it does about their ambitions. The 2027 World Cup framing is legitimate, but getting three quality pace bowlers fit and available at the same time may be the real challenge ahead.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Zimbabwe vs Australia ODI series being played?
The three-match ODI series between Zimbabwe and Australia will be played at Harare Sports Club on 15, 18, and 20 September. It is Australia's first ODI visit to Harare in more than a decade, with the teams having last met in Zimbabwe during a 2014 triangular series.
Why is Brendan Taylor's return significant?
Brendan Taylor, 40, is Zimbabwe's second-highest ODI run-scorer and needs just 81 runs to surpass Andy Flower as the country's all-time leading run-getter in the format. He was last seen in ODIs during a two-match series against Sri Lanka in 2025, which came after a four-year international absence.
How long has Graeme Cremer been out of ODI cricket?
Graeme Cremer's last ODI appearance was in 2018, making this comeback a return of nearly eight years to the format. He has remained active in Zimbabwe's T20I setup, including at the T20 World Cup earlier this year, and his only previous ODI against Australia was at the 2011 World Cup.
Who is captaining Zimbabwe in the Australia ODI series?
Sikandar Raza will captain Zimbabwe in the series, standing in for regular skipper Richard Ngarava, who is recovering from a lower-back injury. Raza is also one of the squad's key batting options alongside Craig Ervine and the returning Brendan Taylor.
Which players are unavailable for Zimbabwe in the Australia ODI series?
Zimbabwe are without regular captain Richard Ngarava (lower-back injury), pace bowlers Tendai Chatara and Tanaka Chivanga (both with Achilles tendon injuries), and wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande, who played in Zimbabwe's most recent ODI series against Bangladesh in July but has not been selected.
