Gary Ballance set to make his return to Test cricket for Zimbabwe against West Indies

The 33-year-old recently committed to playing for his country of birth after he had previously featured in 23 Tests for England, scoring 1 498 runs with four centuries and seven fifties at an average of 37.45.

The left-handed batter played one T20I and two ODIs for Zimbabwe against Ireland earlier this month and nothed up scores of 30, 23 and 52 in his three innings.

In the absence of regular Test captain Sean Williams who is recovering from a fractured finger, Craig Ervine will lead Zimbabwe in the series against the Windies.

The hosts will also be without all-rounders Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl who are fulfilling T20 franchise commitments abroad, while fast bowlers Tendai Chatara and Blessing Muzarabani are recuperating from thigh injuries.

Donald Tiripano and Chamunorwa Chibhabha have been recalled to add some experience to the side, while Victor Nyauchi, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Brandon Mavuta and Milton Shumba will be looking to make an impression in the longest format of the game.

The trio of top-order batter Innocent Kaia and seamers Bradley Evans and Tanaka Chivanga are also in line to make their Test debuts after they were included in the 16-man squad.

The uncapped quartet of wicketkeeper-batters Tafadzwa Tsiga and Joylord Gumbie as well as opening batters Kudzai Maunze and Tanunurwa Makoni have also been training with the squad.

Zimbabwe Test squad: Craig Ervine (captain), Gary Ballance, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Tanaka Chivanga, Bradley Evans, Joylord Gumbie, Innocent Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Wellington Masakadza, Kudzai Maunze, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Milton Shumba, Donald Tiripano, Tafadzwa Tsiga