Sikandar Raza, Ben Curran return to Zimbabwe Test squad for series against New Zealand

Raza missed the recent series against South Africa as he was taking part in the MLC T20 tournament in the USA while Curran has recovered from a fractured hand.

Roy Kaia and Tanunurwa Makoni have also been called up to the 16-man squad with batters Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Prince Masvaure and Wessly Madhevere and seamer Kundai Matigimu all dropped from the team played South Africa.

In a further boost for the hosts, Brian Bennett, who missed part of the South Africa series after suffering a concussion, is back fit and ready to take his place in the XI.

Zimbabwe will be led by Craig Ervine, with experienced campaigners Sean Williams and Blessing Muzarabani providing key support in the batting and bowling departments respectively.

The upcoming series will mark the first Test meeting between Zimbabwe and New Zealand since 2016, when the visitors claimed a 2-0 series win at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe Test squad: 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

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