Sibanda surrenders Zimbabwe spot

Keep up to date with all that's new around the world - read match reports and more from every international played

Zimbabwe have overlooked Vusi Sibanda for the tour of New Zealand after the batsman opted to play grade cricket in Australia

Vusi Sibanda has been left out of Zimbabwe’s 16-man squad for the tour of New Zealand.

The opener is unavailable for selection after rejecting a Zimbabwe Cricket contract in favour of playing grade cricket in Australia. He will be replaced by Stuart Matsikenyeri, who played the last of his 108 one-day internationals in 2010.

Sibanda turned down an offer to play for the Mid West Rhinos at the start of the domestic season in September 2011 and, after deciding not to feature in the Stanbic Bank T20 series, he travelled to Sydney to represent Eastern Suburbs.

Despite being originally named in Zimbabwe’s 20-man training squad for a two-week camp in Harare, Sibanda has now failed to make the travelling party.

“He knew when he decided to go that he would not be considered for selection for Zimbabwe," Alistair Campbell, the chairman of Zimbabwe’s cricket committee, told ESPNcricinfo.

"When he returned, we debated it, and decided that we cannot set precedents for players to go and play in other country's domestic competitions and not at home, and then be considered for the national team."

Convener of selectors Givemore Makoni added: "Stuart Matsikenyeri has earned a recall into the national squad as he has done very well in the domestic competitions and is one of the few batsmen who has been consistent. He is an experienced and aggressive player."

Zimbabwe, led by Brendan Taylor, are without paceman Chris Mpofu, who has suffered a recurrence of his lower back injury, with Mountaineers seamer Tendai Chatara taking his place.

Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer has a place in the Test squad, but will be replaced by Prosper Utseya for the five limited-overs matches.

Zimbabwe squad: Brendan Taylor (captain), Regis Chakabva, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer (Test only), Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingi Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tino Mawoyo, Keegan Meth, Forster Mutizwa, Raymond Price, Tatenda Taibu (wicketkeeper), Prosper Utseya (limited-overs only), Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller