Craig Ervine bemoans Williams’ absence: ‘It’s a big loss’

ZIMBABWE Test captain Craig Ervine has described the absence of all-rounder Sean Williams for the one-off Test match against Afghanistan as a big loss but was quick to point out that it opens the door to another player to raise their hand and be counted. 

Williams missed the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Africa Qualifier in Harare. He reportedly checked himself into rehab ahead of the Afghanistan series as he battles to put an end to his substance abuse. 

The fit-again Ervine makes his return to the side after shrugging off a double injury on the same leg and is relishing the challenge of leading a bunch of determined cadres on the field when the Test match bowls off at Harare Sports Club on Monday. 

“Yeah, I mean obviously when you don’t have a huge player pool, missing somebody like Willow (Williams) is a big loss for us. Especially the way he plays, he’s always positive. He always moves the game forward,” Ervine said at the pre-series press conference at the match venue on Sunday.

“But again, I’ve always said in the past, when there’s that opportunity that opens, I think it’s a great opportunity for somebody else to come in and show their worth. I think that’s the way, I think you’ve got to look at it as a great opportunity for somebody else to come in and show their skills and their potential.”

Meanwhile, Belgian-born Australian-trained all-rounder Antum Naqvi is poised to make his long-awaited debut for Zimbabwe after successfully getting his naturalisation papers. However, sources close to the goings on in the camp believe the swashbuckling right-hander may have to wait a little bit longer for his debut as he will not feature in the lone Test match. If anything as Ervine quipped after putting in the hard yards, his poor football skills may come back to haunt him, the only reason for him to miss out of selection. 

“Yeah, Antum’s obviously done exceptionally well, I think, in domestic and obviously scored some runs against MCC. I think having him around the group is also really good. You can see the positive energy that he brings to the group and his preparations this week have been good as well,” added Ervine. 

“He’s been tested in the nets, obviously, with a much higher quality training that we have been doing, which is good for him to be exposed to as well, for him to learn. So he’s really enjoyed that and we’re really looking to see what he can provide for Zimbabwe on the international scene.

“I think there’s one thing, his warm-ups. I think the football skills have got to improve a little bit. But other than that, it’s really exciting. Everybody’s welcomed him into the group and is looking forward to having him there for a lot longer.”

Ervine has warned against underrating a fighting Afghanistan despite Zimbabwe wrapping up a Test match inside two days the last time they squared off away. 

“I think Afghanistan is not really a lesser side. I think they’re still a very threatening side and a side that you can’t be complacent about. And this team is slightly different to the side that came last year, towards the end of last year and the beginning of this year. So there are a lot of names that we don’t really know or aren’t too familiar with. But again, I think they’re not a side that you can take lightly,” he said. 

“I think those guys are very passionate about their cricket. They’re guys that don’t lie down. They’re always going to fight right to the end. So we certainly have to try and match that. Hopefully, being here at Harare Sports Club, conditions favour us a little bit more.”

Ervine maintained his full fitness and was ready for battle.

“Yeah, I’m very excited. Obviously having two injuries at the same time, I think in both legs, obviously it takes a little bit longer to recover, but fortunately I’ve had a nice 6-7 week period of not really being under any pressure to get back as such, so nice to be back in the fold,” he said. 

“And obviously preparations have gone well to get myself fully fit and back into the mix. So I think everybody mentally and physically is certainly ready for tomorrow.”