TOP STORIES

ZIM vs NZ 1st Test: All you need to know, head to head, playing XI

Wednesday, 30-Jul-2025â—Ź1 day ago
News

The first Test of the two-match series between Zimbabwe and New Zealand is set to start on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Both tests will be held at the historic Queens Sports Club. Zimbabwe will host New Zealand in what is not a part of the current World Test Championship cycle, giving teams the freedom to play with less pressure.

Zimbabwe, who will be led by Craig Ervine, have a very solid lineup boasting the likes of Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, and Brian Bennett and emerging talents such as Ben Curran, and Tanaka Chivanga. New Zealand's team will be captained by Mitchell Santner in the absence of regular captain Tom Latham, who has been ruled out of the first Test with a shoulder injury.

The Black Caps will have support from players like Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra. Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway. Notably, Glenn Phillips, part of New Zealand’s T20 squad in Zimbabwe, has been sidelined due to a groin injury. Michael Bracewell has been named as his replacement in the Test side. Both teams will look to play high-octane cricket and gain an upper hand in the series. 

Head-to-head

Matches - 17

ZIM won - 0

NZ won - 11

Drawn - 6

Zimbabwe likely XI: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga

New Zealand likely XI: Will Young, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke, Matt Fisher


Tags

More News

News

WCL 2025: High‑profile India vs Pakistan semi‑final called off

31 mins ago

The semi‑final of the World Championship of Legends 2025 between India Champions and Pakistan Champions has been officially called off, with India withdrawing from the fixture. As a result, Pakistan have advanced to the final of the tournament. Earlier this month, a group match between arch-rivals was also called off after Indian players p...


News

ENG vs IND 5th Test: England reveal playing XI, Ben Stokes to sit out the final game

17 hrs ago

England have unveiled their playing XI for the fifth Test match against India beginning on July 31 at The Oval. Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth Test due to a shoulder injury, with Ollie Pope set to captain the side. Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and spinner Liam Dawson will also be missing the final Test. 

...

News

ENG vs IND 5th Test: All you need to know, head to head, playing XI

18 hrs ago

England and India are gearing up to meet in the fifth and final Test match, scheduled to begin on July 31 at The Oval. England hold the edge in this tightly contested series, having secured a 2–1 lead with victories in the first and third matches. Going into the fifth Test, England would be looking to seal the series, ensuring they come out victorious against I...


News

England to play three-match ODI series against Ireland in September 2026

20 hrs ago

England will host Ireland Women in a three-match ODI series next year in September. The first match will be played on September 1 in Leicester. And the second and third ODIs will be held in Derby and Worcester on September 3 and 6, respectively. 

Both sides last met in the format in a three-match series in Belfast last year, which England won 2-1 aft...


News

“If you sound a bit arrogant”: Indian batting coach speaks on Gambhir’s altercation with groundsman

22 hrs ago

Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has defended head coach Gautam Gambhir after he got into a heated verbal altercation with Surrey’s head groundsman Lee Fortis. Gambhir was seen pointing his finger at the curator during the heated exchange. As per reports, the altercation broke out when Lee Fortis expressed his unhappiness with India standing...