Nine uncapped players named in provisional Zimbabwe squad for Sri Lanka Test series

Sean Williams will lead the side later this month for their first Test outings since November 2018

• Visit the Zimbabwe hub

Zimbabwe have named a 25-man provisional squad as they begin preparations to host Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series later this month.

Sean Williams has been named as captain of the side ahead of the two Tests, which will take place from January 19 and 27 at Harare Sports Club.

Williams succeeds Hamilton Masakadza, who announced his international retirement in September and has since been appointed the country's director of cricket.

Masakadza's younger brother Wellington is another one of four players to miss out from the squad that travelled to Bangladesh in November 2018 for the team's last Test series in November. They are joined on the sidelines by 34-year-old seamer Chris Mpofu and off-spinner John Nyumbu.

Mashonaland Eagles spinners Tapiwa Mufudza and Tinotenda Mutombodzi are among the standout uncapped additions to the squad after claiming 15 wickets each in the opening three rounds of the Logan Cup.

They are among nine players potentially in line for their maiden Test caps, while Timycen Maruma is recalled almost seven years after his one and only previous Test apperance.

The series, announced yesterday, will be Zimbabwe's first Test outing since being reinstated as a member of the ICC in October last year.

The team had previously been exiled from international competitions after the ICC had stripped its rights in July, citing political interference from the national government in Zimbabwe Cricket's operations.

Provisional squad: Sean Williams (c), Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Kevin Kasuza, Timycen Maruma, William Mashinge, Prince Masvaure, Brandon Mavuta, Peter Moor, Brian Mudzinganyama, Tapiwa Mufudza, Carl Mumba, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Ainsley Ndlovu, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano, Charlton Tshuma