Craig Ervine

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Craig Ervine

| image =File:Craig-Ervine-Zimbabwe.jpg

| country = Zimbabwe

| fullname = Craig Richard Ervine

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|8|19|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Harare, Zimbabwe

| family = Sean Ervine (brother)

| batting = Left-handed

| bowling = Right arm off-break

| role = Middle-order batter

| club1 = Midlands

| year1 = 2003/04

| club2 = Southern Rocks

| year2 = {{nowrap|2009/10–2010/11}}

| club3 = Matabeleland Tuskers

| year3 = {{nowrap|2011/12–2017/18}}

| international = true

| internationalspan = 2010–present

| testdebutdate = 4 August

| testdebutyear = 2011

| testdebutagainst = Bangladesh

| testcap = 75

| lasttestdate = 28 April

| lasttestyear = 2025

| lasttestagainst = Bangladesh

| odidebutdate = 28 May

| odidebutyear = 2010

| odidebutagainst = India

| odicap = 109

| lastodidate = 18 February

| lastodiyear = 2025

| lastodiagainst = Ireland

| odishirt = 77

| T20Idebutdate = 3 May

| T20Idebutyear = 2010

| T20Idebutagainst = Sri Lanka

| T20Icap = 24

| lastT20Idate = 7 May

| lastT20Iyear = 2024

| lastT20Iagainst = Bangladesh

| T20Ishirt = 77

| clubnumber1 = 24

| columns = 4

| column1 = Test

| matches1 = 25

| runs1= 1,646

| bat avg1= 35.02

| 100s/50s1= 4/7

| top score1= 160

| deliveries1 = 0

| wickets1 = 0

| bowl avg1 = 0

| fivefor1 = 0

| tenfor1 = 0

| best bowling1 = 0

| catches/stumpings1= 21/0

| column2 = ODI

| matches2 = 128

| runs2= 3,600

| bat avg2= 33.02

| 100s/50s2= 4/23

| top score2= 130*

| deliveries2 = 0

| wickets2 = 0

| bowl avg2 = 0

| fivefor2 = 0

| tenfor2 = 0

| best bowling2 = 0

| catches/stumpings2= 58/0

| column3 = T20I

| matches3 = 71

| runs3 = 1,449

| bat avg3 = 21.95

| 100s/50s3 = 0/9

| top score3 = 70

| deliveries3 = –

| wickets3 = –

| bowl avg3 = –

| fivefor3 = –

| tenfor3 = –

| best bowling3 = –

| catches/stumpings3 = 31/–

| column4 = FC

| matches4 = 98

| runs4= 7,366

| bat avg4= 44.91

| 100s/50s4= 21/34

| top score4= 215

| deliveries4 = 210

| wickets4 = 4

| bowl avg4 = 47.66

| fivefor4 = 0

| tenfor4 = 0

| best bowling4 = 2/44

| catches/stumpings4= 98/0

| date = 25 April 2025

| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/player/55412.html ESPNcricinfo

|hidedeliveries=true}}

Craig Richard Ervine (born 19 August 1985) is a Zimbabwean international cricketer who captains Zimbabwe in Test and ODIs.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zimbabwe-news-craig-ervine-appointed-zimbabwe-s-full-time-white-ball-captain-1304277 |title=Craig Ervine appointed Zimbabwe's full-time white-ball captain |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=7 March 2022}} Ervine is a left-handed batter. He was born in Harare and has played Test and limited overs cricket for the Zimbabwe national cricket team and first-class cricket for a variety of Zimbabwean sides in the Logan Cup. He holds an Irish passport.{{Cite web|title=CRICKET: Zimbabwe defeat helps Ireland World Cup hopes|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/cricket-zimbabwe-defeat-helps-ireland-world-cup-hopes-314189|access-date=2022-01-16|website=newsletter.co.uk|language=en}} In January 2022, in the opening fixture of the series against Sri Lanka, Ervine played in his 100th One Day International (ODI) match.{{cite web |url=https://thestandard.newsday.co.zw/2022/01/09/ervine-humbled-to-reach-100-odi-milestone/ |title=Ervine 'humbled' to reach 100 ODI milestone |work=The Standard |access-date=16 January 2022 |archive-date=16 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116102724/https://thestandard.newsday.co.zw/2022/01/09/ervine-humbled-to-reach-100-odi-milestone/ |url-status=dead }}

Domestic career

He soon got a place at Zimbabwe Cricket Academy and soon broke into the domestic set-up playing for Midlands, Zimbabwe U-19s and Zimbabwe A sides.{{Cite web|title=Craig Ervine leads recovery to 266 for 8|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/craig-ervine-leads-recovery-to-266-for-8-144865|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}

He made his List A debut during the 2003 Faithwear Clothing Inter-Provincial One-Day Competition playing for Midlands against Matabeleland on 3 December 2003.{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Midlands vs Matabeleland 2003/04 – Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/faithwear-clothing-inter-provincial-one-day-competition-2003-04-125470/midlands-vs-matabeleland-415655/full-scorecard|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}} He made his first-class debut during the 2003–04 Logan Cup playing for Midlands against the Mashonaland on 19 March 2004.{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Mashonaland vs Midlands 2003/04 – Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/logan-cup-2003-04-133554/mashonaland-vs-midlands-414697/full-scorecard|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}} He was selected for Zimbabwe squad for the 2004 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.{{Cite web|title=Tenth edition of ICC U19 CWC – another exciting chapter in tournament's history|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/179276|access-date=2022-01-16|website=icc-cricket.com|language=en}}

He also headed to England to work on his techniques and had brief spells at English clubs including Bexhill and Lordswood.{{Cite web|title=Craig Ervine Profile – ICC Ranking, Age, Career Info & Stats|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/6334/craig-ervine|access-date=2022-01-16|website=Cricbuzz|language=en}} He also played for Lisburn Cricket Club in 2009 and 2010.{{Cite web|title=Lisburn sign Craig Ervine|url=https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES6/articles/000031/003171.shtml|access-date=2022-01-16|website=cricketeurope.com}} Ervine has played majority of his domestic cricket for Midlands in Zimbabwe.[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/61/61971/61971.html Craig Ervine], CricketArchive. Retrieved 2018-09-02. {{subscription required}}

In February 2010, Ervine signed for the Zimbabwean domestic circuit with Southern Rocks. On debut against the Mid West Rhinos, Ervine made a top score of 100, his first first-class century. He has played for the Matabeleland Tuskers since the 2011/12 season.

In December 2018, during the opening round of the 2018–19 Logan Cup, Ervine scored his tenth century in first-class cricket.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25469596/carl-mumba-eight-lifts-rhinos-top-logan-cup-table |title=Carl Mumba's eight-for lifts Rhinos to the top of Logan Cup table |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=6 December 2018}} He was the leading run-scorer in the 2018–19 Stanbic Bank 20 Series tournament, with 328 runs in six matches.{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=12910;type=tournament |title=Domestic Twenty20 Competition, 2018/19: Most runs |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=17 March 2019}} In December 2020, he was selected to play for the Tuskers in the 2020–21 Logan Cup.{{cite web |url=https://thezimbabwedaily.com/news/523373-logan-cup-first-class-cricket-competition-gets-underway.html |title=Logan Cup first class cricket competition gets underway |work=The Zimbabwe Daily |access-date=9 December 2020 |archive-date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209121102/https://thezimbabwedaily.com/news/523373-logan-cup-first-class-cricket-competition-gets-underway.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://www.herald.co.zw/logan-cup-starts-in-secure-environment/ |title=Logan Cup starts in secure environment |work=The Herald |access-date=9 December 2020}}

International career

= Early years =

He was included in Zimbabwe's squad for the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 tournament despite the modest returns in domestic T20 competition and made his T20I debut in a rain-affected group stage match against Sri Lanka on 3 May 2010.{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 7th Match, Group B 2010 – Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-twenty20-2010-412671/sri-lanka-vs-zimbabwe-7th-match-group-b-412686/full-scorecard|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}} He made his ODI debut against India on 28 May 2010 as part of the 2010 Zimbabwe Micromax Tri-Nation Series and scored a half-century on debut.{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs Zimbabwe 1st Match 2010 – Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-triangular-series-2010-452140/zimbabwe-vs-india-1st-match-452146/full-scorecard|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}} He ended up being unbeaten on 67 runs off just 60 deliveries on debut as Zimbabwe chased down the mammoth 286 runs in a thrilling chase.{{Cite web|title=Taylor lauds Zimbabwe's all-round performance|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/taylor-lauds-zimbabwe-s-all-round-performance-461226|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Taylor and Ervine seal terrific win|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-triangular-series-2010-452140/zimbabwe-vs-india-1st-match-452146/match-report|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}

He made his test debut against Bangladesh on 4 August 2011 which was also a comeback test appearance for Zimbabwe after their readmission to test cricket. He made an impression on debut with the bat scoring an unbeaten 35 runs in a sixth wicket partnership with Brendan Taylor before Zimbabwe going onto declare at 291/5 and win the match comfortably by 130 runs.{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Only Test 2011 – Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/bangladesh-tour-of-zimbabwe-2011-504002/zimbabwe-vs-bangladesh-only-test-522245/full-scorecard|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}

He was named as part of the Zimbabwean squad during the 2011 Cricket World Cup which also marked his maiden appearance in a World Cup tournament. He had a decent World Cup campaign as he ended up as the leading run-scorer for Zimbabwe during the course of the tournament with an aggregate of 231 runs in 6 matches including 3 fifties.{{Cite web|title=ICC Cricket World Cup, 2010/11 Cricket Team Records & Stats |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=4857&type=tournament|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}} He was also a member of the Zimbabwe squad for the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 showpiece. He signed as an overseas player for Lymington in the Southern Premier League for 2012 season.{{Cite web|title=Cricket: Lymington sign Test star Ervine|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/9648828.cricket-lymington-sign-test-star-ervine/|access-date=2022-01-16|website=Bournemouth Echo|language=en}}

In 2013, soon after Zimbabwe had returned from the tour of West Indies following the bilateral series, he refused to sign a central Zimbabwe Cricket contract with the intention to pursue his career playing club cricket for Irish club Lisburn and grade cricket for Morley in Western Australia.{{Cite web|title=Why I quit Zimbabwe for county: Taylor|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/brendan-taylor-zimbabwe-retirement-county-cricket-money-financial-nottinghamshire/2015-04-16|access-date=2022-01-16|website=cricket.com.au|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Ervine refuses winter contract, opts for club cricket in UK|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/craig-ervine-refuses-winter-contract-opts-for-club-cricket-in-uk-628969|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Craig Ervine turns down Zimbabwe Test spot to play club cricket in England|url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/13239/8635930/craig-ervine-turns-down-zimbabwe-test-spot-to-play-club-cricket-in-england|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=Sky Sports|language=en}} He moved to Ireland on a passport obtained via his great-great-grandfather in a bid to qualify playing for Ireland cricket team at some point of time.{{Cite web|title=Ervine reveals Ireland ambitions|url=https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES6/articles/000045/004568.shtml|access-date=2022-01-16|website=cricketeurope.com|archive-date=16 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116071800/https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES6/articles/000045/004568.shtml|url-status=dead}} However, it was revealed that his ambitions to represent Ireland was just rumours.{{Cite news|title=Test star Ervine says non-qualified players can have place in inter-pros|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/test-star-ervine-says-non-qualified-players-can-have-place-in-inter-pros-29515061.html|access-date=2022-01-16|issn=0307-1235}} He made the move to leave Zimbabwe citing financial insecurity and to earn for a good living in overseas. He also played for Northern Knights in the European summer at the 2013 Inter-Provincial Championship and in the other half of the same year he went to Perth to play club cricket in Australia.{{Cite web|title=Ervine puts his scarred hand up for Zimbabwe|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/craig-ervine-puts-his-scarred-hand-up-for-zimbabwe-1044101|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}

= International return =

However, he made a U-turn roughly 18 months later insisting that he once again made his intentions to play for Zimbabwe at international level and made himself available for national selections again in October 2014 ahead of the 2014/15 season.{{Cite web|title=Ervine and Lamb make themselves available|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/other-sports/news/ervine-and-lamb-make-themselves-available/vy4936gmcpw31ii9u6u3il7z6|access-date=2022-01-16|website=sportingnews.com|language=en}} He was in contention for a spot in the national squad for the tour of Bangladesh in 2014 and was included in the main squads.{{Cite web|title=Ervine and Lamb available for Zimbabwe selection|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ervine-and-lamb-available-for-zimbabwe-selection-787805|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}} He was thereafter subsequently picked for the 2015 Cricket World Cup which was held in Australia and New Zealand. During the 2015 World Cup, he along with Brendan Taylor put on Zimbabwe's highest fourth wicket partnership of 93 in a World Cup match which came against India.{{Cite web|title=World Cup – Zimbabwe Cricket Team Records & Stats |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?id=12&team=9&type=trophy|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}

On 2 August 2015, Ervine scored his first ODI century against New Zealand, an unbeaten 130 runs in a match which Zimbabwe won chasing more than 300 runs.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-new-zealand-2015/content/story/905693.html |title=Ervine ton lifts Zimbabwe to stirring win |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=14 July 2017}} Following the win against New Zealand, his teammate Sean Williams asked him personally to pay half the rent for his stay in the apartment.{{Cite web|date=2015-08-03|title=Can Craig Ervine now pay the other half of his flat rent?|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/criclife/can-craig-ervine-now-pay-the-other-half-of-his-flat-rent-506549|access-date=2022-01-16|website=Cricket Country|language=en-US}} On 6 August 2016, Ervine scored his maiden Test century, playing against New Zealand at Harare.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-new-zealand-2016/content/story/1044011.html |title=Ervine ton stalls dominant New Zealand |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=8 August 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-new-zealand-2016/content/story/1044495.html |title=Zimbabwe's sixth straight loss to New Zealand |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 August 2016}}

On Zimbabwe's 2017 tour of Sri Lanka, Ervine scored a match winning 69 runs to level the five-match series 2-2.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-zimbabwe-2017/content/story/1109732.html |title=Calm Ervine helps Zimbabwe draw level |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=8 July 2016}}{{Cite web|date=2017-07-08|title=Ervine 50 helps Zimbabwe draw level in ODI series|url=https://archives1.sundayobserver.lk/2017/07/09/sports/ervine-50-helps-zimbabwe-draw-level-odi-series|access-date=2022-01-16|website=Sunday Observer|language=en}} Zimbabwe won the 5th ODI and won the first ever series against Sri Lanka as well. Ervine's second test century came against Sri Lanka on 14 July 2017 at the R Premadasa Stadium and registered his career best test knock of 160.{{Cite web|title=Ervine defies Sri Lanka with unbeaten 151|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/champions-trophy/news/438297|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-16|website=icc-cricket.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116102250/https://www.icc-cricket.com/champions-trophy/news/438297 |archive-date=16 January 2022 }}{{Cite news|last=PTI|date=2017-07-14|title=Craig Ervine's unbeaten ton pulls Zimbabwe out of trouble|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/craig-ervines-unbeaten-ton-pulls-zimbabwe-out-of-trouble/article19280158.ece|access-date=2022-01-16|issn=0971-751X}} Despite his valiant efforts with the bat, Sri Lanka went onto win the closely fought test match after successfully chasing down the mammoth target of 391.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-zimbabwe-2017/content/story/1110991.html |title=Ervine's 151* headlines Zimbabwe's day |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=14 July 2017}}

He was included in Zimbabwe's squad for the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament which was held in Zimbabwe.{{Cite web|title=Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams return as Zimbabwe name squads for South Africa, Bangladesh tours|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/847780|access-date=2022-01-16|website=icc-cricket.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=ICC confirm match officials and squads for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/622973|access-date=2022-01-16|website=icc-cricket.com|language=en}}

On 14 July 2019, he involved in an unbroken runstand worth of 111 runs along with Sean Williams for the third wicket during the third and decisive T20I against Ireland and it is also the highest ever partnership for Zimbabwe in terms of runs in T20I cricket.{{Cite web|title=Ervine, Williams help Zimbabwe level T20I series|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zim-in-ireland-and-nl-2019-1168501/ireland-vs-zimbabwe-2nd-t20i-1168521/match-report|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}} Zimbabwe chased down the target of 172 runs to square the three match T20I series against Ireland 1-1.

In January 2020, during the first Test against Sri Lanka, Ervine scored his 1,000th run in Test cricket.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1580516 |title=Steady start for Sri Lanka after Embuldeniya five-for |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=21 January 2020}}

= Captaincy =

On 22 February 2020, he captained Test team in the one-off Test against Bangladesh,{{cite web|url=https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/02/10/full-text-captain-sean-williams-to-miss-bangladesh-test-for-his-childs-birth/ |title=Captain Sean Williams To Miss Bangladesh Test For His Child's Birth |work=Pindula News |access-date=10 February 2020}} after Sean Williams, Zimbabwe's regular Test captain, took leave ahead of the match for the birth of his first child.{{cite web|url=https://www.bdcrictime.com/zimbabwe-name-squad-for-dhaka-test/ |title=Zimbabwe name squad for Dhaka Test |work=BC Crictime |access-date=10 February 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Craig Ervine to captain Zimbabwe in Bangladesh with Sean Williams expecting first child|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/craig-ervine-to-captain-zimbabwe-in-bangladesh-with-sean-williams-expecting-first-child-1216077|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}} He scored a century top scoring for Zimbabwe in first innings with 107 and despite his valiant effort with the bat in both innings of the match on his captaincy debut, Zimbabwe went onto lose by an innings and 106 runs.{{Cite web|title=Test in balance after Ervine ton, Nayeem strikes|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-in-bangladesh-2019-20-1214661/bangladesh-vs-zimbabwe-only-test-1214666/match-report|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Ervine makes his opportunity in Test cricket count|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ervine-makes-his-opportunity-in-test-cricket-count-1217226|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}

In August 2021, he was appointed as white ball captain of Zimbabwe for the first time and assumed white ball captaincy for the first time during the limited overs series against Ireland and the T20I series against Scotland.{{Cite web|title=Craig Ervine named Zimbabwe captain for Ireland, Scotland tours|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/craig-ervine-named-zimbabwe-captain-for-ireland-scotland-tours-1274549|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}} He was reinstated as the captain of Zimbabwe side for the three match ODI series against Sri Lanka in January 2022.{{Cite web|title=Craig Ervine to captain Zimbabwe for Sri Lanka ODIs|url=https://ceylontoday.lk/news/craig-ervine-to-captain-zimbabwe-for-sri-lanka-odis|access-date=2022-01-16|website=CeylonToday|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Craig Ervine to captain Zimbabwe for Sri Lanka ODIs|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/craig-ervine-to-captain-zimbabwe-for-sri-lanka-odis-1295915|access-date=2022-01-16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2022-01-07|title=Zimbabwe retain Ervine as skipper for Sri Lanka tour|url=https://zimcricket.org/zimbabwe-retain-ervine-as-skipper-for-sri-lanka-tour/|access-date=2022-01-16|website=Zimbabwe Cricket|language=en-US}}

Education

Ervine studied for A-levels at Lomagundi College.

Personal life

Ervine's father Rory and uncle Neil both played first-class cricket for Rhodesia B in the 1977/78 Castle Bowl competition[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/5/5096/5096.html Rory Ervine], CricketArchive. Retrieved 2018-09-02. {{subscription required}}[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/5/5095/5095.html Neil Ervine], CricketArchive. Retrieved 2018-09-02. {{subscription required}} and another uncle, Gordon Den, played for Rhodesia and Eastern province in the 1960s.[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/5/5078/5078.html Gordon Den], CricketArchive. Retrieved 2018-09-02. {{subscription required}} Den's father, Ervine's grandfather, Alexander Den is recorded as having made one appearance for Rhodesia against the touring Australian national side in 1936.[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/5/5079/5079.html Alexander Den], CricketArchive. Retrieved 2018-09-02. {{subscription required}} He along with his brothers Sean and Ryan were brought and raised up in a farm outside Harare and he inherited interest in cricket through his grandparents who would even pay 50 cents to anyone who took a wicket.

Ervine's brother, Sean Ervine also played for Zimbabwe and, after leaving the country in 2004, forged a successful career in English county cricket with Hampshire.{{Cite web|date=2015-12-06|title=Sean Ervine: 17 interesting things to know about the Zimbabwean|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/sean-ervine-17-interesting-things-to-know-about-the-zimbabwean-510608|access-date=2022-01-16|website=Cricket Country|language=en-US}} Another brother Ryan played domestic limited overs cricket in Zimbabwe in 2009/10 season.[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/303/303717/303717.html Ryan Ervine], CricketArchive. Retrieved 2018-09-02. {{subscription required}}

Ervine almost had a hand amputated in his early teens following a freak accident where he slipped and fell on broken glass in his family's living room. He slipped on some stray penlight batteries at home. His mum who was a nurse during wartime immediately helped her son from excessive bleeding. The injury required a three-hour reconstructive operation to his right hand.[http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/player/55412.html Craig Ervine], ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 0218-09-02.