After a long gap of nine years, New Zealand and Zimbabwe are set to face each other in the Test format once again. The two-match Test series begins tomorrow on Zimbabwean soil.
New Zealand aims to continue their successful run in Tests against Zimbabwe. On the other hand, Zimbabwe are eyeing their first-ever Test victory over New Zealand by breaking their losing streak. The first Test of the series will begin tomorrow at 2 PM Bangladesh time in Bulawayo.
The last time these two teams played a Test match was in July 2016. Back then, the Black Caps toured Zimbabwe for a two-match Test series. Since then, the teams haven’t met in the longest format.
Now, after nine long years, New Zealand and Zimbabwe are set to meet again in a Test series. However, the Kiwi camp has suffered a major blow ahead of the series opener. Captain Tom Latham will miss the first Test due to a neck injury. In his absence, white-ball captain Mitchell Santner will lead New Zealand in the first Test.
Santner will debut as New Zealand’s 32nd Test captain. If Latham recovers before the second and final Test, he is expected to return to the side.
Key players like Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Michael Bracewell, and Ben Sears are unavailable for the Zimbabwe series. Two new pacers, Jacob Duffy and Matt Fisher, have been included in the squad. Duffy has already played 14 ODIs and 23 T20Is for New Zealand, while Fisher has taken 51 wickets in 14 first-class matches.
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said, “We want to start the series against Zimbabwe with a win. We have to play good cricket in all three departments.”
Last month, Zimbabwe were whitewashed 2-0 in a home Test series against South Africa.
Now, the hosts are determined to bounce back with bat and ball against New Zealand. Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine said, “We played poor cricket against South Africa. Hopefully, we can make history by winning our first-ever Test match against New Zealand.”
New Zealand and Zimbabwe first met in the Test format in 1992. So far, they’ve played 17 Tests against each other. New Zealand has won 11 of those, while 6 ended in draws.
Zimbabwe Squad:
Craig Ervine (capt), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Clive Madande, Vincent Masikesa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams.
New Zealand Squad:
Mitchell Santner (capt), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Will Young.
