HARARE, Sept 17: Zimbabwe have recalled experienced batsmen Craig Wishart and Trevor Gripper to their squad for a two-Test tour of Australia starting next month.

Wishart was surprisingly omitted from the party that toured England earlier this year after a successful World Cup. He has played 21 Tests and Gripper 14.

Fast bowler Heath Streak captains the Zimbabweans, with young wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu as his deputy.

“This first Test tour of Australia is a milestone in the history of Zimbabwe cricket,” Streak said in a Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) statement on Wednesday.

“It offers us a fantastic opportunity to pit our skills against some of the best players in the world. We know that the cricket will be intense and we do not expect Australia to underestimate us or take the Tests lightly.

“With a coaching team of (former Australia Test players) Geoff Marsh and Bruce Reid, we will have the very best information and advice on the Australians and will be straining every sinew to put them under as much pressure as possible,” added Streak.

Uncapped spinning all rounder Gavin Ewing was also named in the squad but experienced batsman Grant Flower was ruled out with a broken thumb.

Following the retirement of Grant’s brother Andy after the 2003 World Cup, it will be the first Zimbabwe squad without a Flower for 15 years.

Squad: Heath Streak (captain), Tatenda Taibu (vice-captain), Andy Blignaut,Gary Brent, Stuart Carlisle, Dion Ebrahim, Sean Ervine, Craig Evans, Gavin Ewing, Trevor Gripper, Douglas Hondo, Stewart Matsikenyeri, Ray Price, Mark Vermeulen, Craig Wishart.—Reuters