Zimpapers Logo

Going places. . . Ryan Burl has graduated into Zimbabwe’s Test team

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Zimbabwe Under-19 batsman Ryan Burl looks set to wrap up the year in style after he was lined up for a possible Test debut in the squad to face neighbours South Africa in the pioneering Test set for later this month.

The left hander, together with Zimbabwe Cricket Academy – Rising Stars – teammate Blessing Muzarabani, are set to be included in the squad to replace Malcom Waller and Sean Williams, who reportedly has been struggling with injury.

Paceman Tendai Chatara, who was overlooked for the Chevron’s last Test assignment against the West Indies recently, is also set to bounce back for the Boxing Day Test to add strength to the Zimbabwe seam department. Coach Heath Streak said he was pleased by the rookies making inroads into the national team after extending the invitation to Burl.

The 23-year old has seen significant rise ever since he made his One Day International debut at the beginning of the year against Afghanistan at home. Since then, he has featured on the Chevrons team sheet nine times as he was part of the side that also toured Scotland and then Sri Lanka in a historic tour.

Burl has had a busy year. He was also part of the ZC Academy team that was sent to England for training camps during year. Most recently, he was in United Arab Emirates with the Zimbabwe A side for a couple of limited overs matches.

“We are looking to have at least two changes to the side. Malcom Waller and Sean Williams are out and in comes Ryan Burl and Blessing. The selectors have considered a lot of things to come up with that decision. But it’s not like we have made drastic changes, it’s just those two. The choice of Burl is because he has shown a lot of promise and has been getting some runs in the domestic league,” said Streak.

The Chevrons are set to intensify their preparations before they leave for South Africa next Saturday. While most of the players have been playing domestic cricket, the quartet of Solomon Mire, Sikandar Raza, Waller and skipper Graeme Cremer has been out featuring in the Bangladesh Premier League T20 tournament.

Streak said he was excited by the prospects following the auspicious outing by most of his key players, who include Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor and Sikandar Raza in recent internationals.

“The guys have been scoring runs and our bowlers as well have been taking wickets in the domestic league. We had a camp here in Harare a week and half ago, with the players who were not playing in the Bangladesh Premier League and I am sure we are going to have another training camp.

“The team will leave for South Africa early and will have at least 10 days to wind up preparations under the South African conditions. We will train (for) three days and then play a three-day warm up game.

“We will have another three days of practise before the game,” said Streak.