Belfast is the Venue of Historic Test Match as Ireland and Zimbabwe Face off Each Other for the First Time

Zimbabwe are all set to play Ireland for the first time in a test match. Both teams have never before clashed in red ball cricket ever since they were granted test status. The match begins on the 25^th of July, and it is Zimbabwe’s first Test match since February 2023.

Zimbabwe have quite a few experienced players who have played a lot of cricket for them in the past, especially white ball cricket. Players like Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Blessing Muzarabani and Tendai Chatara have played 20, 14, 6 and 9 test matches respectively. They are also the veterans of more than 250 ODI matches combined. However, Zimbabwe have lost 4 out of 5 previous matches and drawn one.

Zimbabwe Playing Eleven: Joylord Gumbie, Prince Masvaure, Dion Myers, Craig Ervine, Saen Williams ©, Brian Bennet, Clive Madande, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Tanaka Chivanga, Tendai Chatara

When it comes to Ireland, they made their Test debut back in 2018 against Pakistan and since their inaugural Test match they have played more Test matches than Zimbabwe in the past six years. Irish team also looks more settled as they are coming of their first ever red ball win against Afghanistan and many of their players have county cricket experience as well which is closer to their own playing conditions.

Ireland’s Playing Eleven: Andy Balbirnie ©, Peter Moor, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker, Andy McCarthy, Craig Young, Matthew Humphreys

Cricbuzz, in their latest article, quoted Andy Balbirnie saying: “We have so much white-ball cricket throughout the year that it’s become the norm for us, so playing these longer games is a real pleasure because it doesn’t happen that often.”