Graeme Cremer recalled for Zimbabwe T20I tri-series squad

Graeme Cremer has been included in Zimbabwe’s 15-player squad for the T20I tri-series against South Africa and Namibia, returning after recovering from a left-arm injury. The 39-year-old leg-spinner missed international cricket after the 2026 T20 World Cup, having only recently ended a seven-year absence from Zimbabwe’s side at that tournament.

Zimbabwe will open the competition against South Africa on August 29, then meet Namibia two days later. Each team will play the others twice in the double round-robin phase, with the leading two sides progressing to the final in Windhoek on September 6.

Cremer’s return adds experience to a squad that will be led by Sikandar Raza. Raza takes over the captaincy because Richard Ngarava is unavailable while he continues his recovery from a lower-back injury. Zimbabwe Cricket will monitor the fast bowler, who could return for the ODI series against Australia in September if he is fit.

Another pace option, Tanaka Chivanga, is also missing after surgery on an Achilles tendon injury sustained in training. He remains in rehabilitation under medical supervision. Kundai Matigimu has been added to the group after making his Test debut in one appearance for Zimbabwe.

Brendan Taylor is not part of the T20I squad. His most recent match in the format came against Oman at the World Cup, and he was also absent from Zimbabwe’s T20I series against Bangladesh and India earlier this year. He remains involved in the Test setup.

Raza is joined in the squad by Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Innocent Kaia, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Newman Nyamhuri and Tafadzwa Tsiga. The series will give Zimbabwe six matches to reach the Windhoek final, with Cremer back in contention after his latest injury setback.