Mpofu to miss New Zealand tour

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Zimbabwe will have to cope without Chris Mpofu in New Zealand after the 26-year-old suffered a recurrence of his lower back injury

Zimbabwe paceman Chris Mpofu has been ruled out of his country’s tour of New Zealand with a lower back injury.

The 26-year-old was forced to pull out of the recent Stanbic Bank T20 series, but was named in Zimbabwe’s 20-man training squad for a two-week camp in Harare.

However, after suffering a recurrence of his injury, he has now been withdrawn and replaced by Mountaineers seamer Tendai Chatara, who has a solitary Twenty20 cap.

National team physiotherapist Amato Machikicho said: “Unfortunately Chris's lower back pain recurred on the eve of the start of the camp. He had an MRI scan and an opinion from a specialist sports physician. As a result Chris will no longer be a part of the camp and will miss the tour.”

Although Mpofu will not be available for the tour, which comprises one Test, three one-day and two T20 internationals, Zimbabwe have welcomed back Brian Vitori and Graeme Cremer from injury, while Shingirai Masakadza and Stuart Matsikenyeri also return.

Zimbabwe squad: Brendan Taylor, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tino Mawoyo, Keegan Meth, Forster Mutizwa, Njabulo Ncube, Raymond Price, Vusi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller.