The new faces in Zimbabwe’s Test squad, announced earlier today, for the one-off match against Ireland later this month are Clive Madande, Brian Bennett, and Jonathan Campbell, all of whom are involved in the current Twenty20 International series against India. Included in the squad of 15 is Joylord Gumbie, who has not yet received a cap in the format.
Zimbabwe, who are not participating in the ICC World Test Championship, will travel to Ireland for the first Test between the two nations, which is scheduled for July 25–29. Zimbabwe last played a Test match against the West Indies in Bulawayo in February 2023. Belfast is where the match will take place.
The new faces in Zimbabwe’s Test squad, announced earlier today, for the one-off match against Ireland later this month are Clive Madande, Brian Bennett, and Jonathan Campbell, all of whom are involved in the current Twenty20 International series against India. Included in the squad of 15 is Joylord Gumbie, who has not yet received a cap in the format.
Zimbabwe, who are not participating in the ICC World Test Championship, will travel to Ireland for the first Test between the two nations, which is scheduled for July 25–29. Zimbabwe last played a Test match against the West Indies in Bulawayo in February 2023. Belfast is where the match will take place.
Zimbabwe don’t have much experience in the format, but their opponents have only played eight Tests since their debut Test in May 2018. Ervine, with 20 Test appearances over the years, and Williams, with 14, are the most experienced Test players in the touring team. Prior to their first victory, which came earlier this year in Abu Dhabi when they defeated Afghanistan by six wickets, they had lost their previous seven Test matches.
While it’s unclear if the three ODIs and three T20Is that Ireland was supposed to host Australia for are still on the schedule, Cricket Ireland’s financial difficulties have resulted in fewer home matches this summer.
Gary Ballance was a member of Zimbabwe’s squad for their most recent Test match, which served as his farewell match when he moved from England to Zimbabwe. The players that were a part of the two-Test series but aren’t currently in the mix include Brad Evans, Brandon Mavuta, Milton Shumba, Tanunurwa Makoni, Innocent Kaia, Tafadzwa Tsiga, and Donald Tiripano.
Zimbabwe squad for one-off Test in Ireland
Craig Ervine (capt), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Tendai Chatara, Tanaka Chivanga, Joylord Gumbie (wk), Roy Kaia, Clive Madande (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sean Williams