In a big injury blow to Zimbabwe, skipper Craig Ervine is set to be on the bench for the ODI series with two fixtures against Sri Lanka. The captain reportedly injured his left and right calves just before the opener clash being played today at Harare Sports Club, Harare.
The MRI scan report verified the intensity of the injury as Ervine endured the pain due to a grade 2 strain impacting his left calf. He also has a Grade I strain impacting his right calf, which became clear a day before the first ODI.
The update about Ervine getting ruled out of two ODI matches against Sri Lanka has jolted Zimbabwe, as they were not ready for the last-minute change. The 40-year-old cricketer has played 128 ODIs, scoring 3600 runs at an average of 33.02 with a highest score of an unbeaten 130.
An all-rounder, Sean Williams, will handle the captaincy duties in the 50-over format. Zimbabwe Cricket hasn’t yet declared a substitute after Ervine moved out of the ODI series. The left-hander has played 162 ODIs and amassed 5140 runs at an average of 37.51 with a highest score of 174. As a bowler, he has picked up 85 wickets in 162 matches with the best bowling innings of 4/43.
Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will compete in two ODIs along with three T20Is till September 7. The Harare Sports Club, Harare, will host all the matches.
Sri Lanka Tour of Zimbabwe, 2025
| Date | Day | Match | Venue | IST Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 29 | Fri | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 1st ODI | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 01:00 PM |
| Aug 31 | Sun | Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 01:00 PM |
| Sep 03 | Wed | Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 05:00 PM |
| Sep 06 | Sat | Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 05:00 PM |
| Sep 07 | Sun | Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 05:00 PM |
