Big names return to Zimbabwe Test squad; Interesting story on Brendan Taylor return

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced the 16-member men's squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against New Zealand. The Chevrons have big names return to the Test squad, while Brendan Taylor's international cricket return has an interesting story. 

After the end of the ongoing T20I tri-series between Zimbabwe, South Africa, and New Zealand, where New Zealand and South Africa will face each other in the Final on this Saturday (July 26) after the last two league stage games, Zimbabwe and New Zealand will play a two-match Test series. Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo will host both the Tests, starting on July 30 and August 7. Both Tests will be the traditional five-day Test matches. It will be their first Test meeting since 2016, when the visitors won the two-match Test series in Zimbabwe by 2-0. As Zimbabwe aren't part of the ICC World Test Championship, the forthcoming Test series will not be a part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship. 

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Ben Curran and Sikandar Raza return to Test cricket

Craig Ervine will continue his Test leadership role, while Ben Curran and Sikandar Raza have returned to the Test squad. Ben Curran missed out on the recently concluded home Test series against South Africa due to a fractured hand, which he suffered during a warm-up game against South Africa. Meanwhile, Sikandar Raza has returned to the Test squad after missing the home Test series against South Africa due to MLC 2025 commitment. Also, Roy Kaia and Tanunurwa Makoni have returned to Test cricket, having played three and two Test matches, respectively. 

In the meantime, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Prince Masvaure, Wessly Madhevere, and Kundai Matigimu, who were present during the recently concluded home Test series against South Africa, have been left out of the squad for the upcoming home Test series. 

Zimbabwe complete squad for the two-match home Test series against New Zealand

Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams

Brendan Taylor likely to return to international cricket

On the other hand, the 39-year-old Bendan Taylor hasn't been named in the Test squad for the upcoming home series against New Zealand. His three-and-a-half-year ban for breaching the ICC anti-corruption code will end this Friday, July 25. According to ESPNcricinfo's report, Taylor is likely to make his international cricket comeback in the upcoming first Test against New Zealand, as he is likely to be added once his ban expires officially.