Mark Vermeulen last played for Zimbabwe in 2009 © Getty Images
Mark Vermeulen last played for Zimbabwe in 2009 © Getty Images

Aug 5, 2014

Zimbabwe have announced their preliminary squad for the upcoming home assignments against Australia and South Africa. The big news is that Mark Vermeulen, the controversial cricketer, is back into the international fold after five years. Zimbabwe will face South Africa in one Test and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) before Australia come around for a tri-series.

Vermeulen last played Test cricket in 2004, and his last ODI in 2009. The batsman has had a mixed career as injuries to his head marred his progress. Then, he was also accused of arson, but was then acquitted. He admitted to having psychiatric issues. But, this year, he has performed well for Zimbabwe A against Afghanistan A, where he scored a hundred in one of the games. The 35-year-old is thus chasing international honours yet again, Associated Press reported.

The interesting thing is that Brendan Taylor will captain Zimbabwe in the Test match, whereas Elton Chigumbura has taken over as the skipper of the limited overs squad.

Zimbabwe’s 25-man Preliminary Squad

Brendan Taylor, Elton Chigumbura, Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza, Tino Mawoyo, Sikandar Raza Butt, Sean Williams, Mark Vermeulen, Tendai Chatara, Michael Chinouya, Shingirai Masakadza, Malcolm Waller, Richmond Mutumbami, Luke Jongwe, Prosper Utseya, Regis Chakabva, Neville Madziva, Steven Chimhamwiha, Natsai M’shangwe, John Myumbu, Cuthbert Musoko, Taurai Muzarabani, Donald Tiripano, Donald Tiripano, Tafadza Kamungozi.