Ireland are all set to host Zimbabwe for a one-off Test match series. The only Test will be played from July 25 to 29 at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast. This match will mark a significant occasion as it will be the first time Ireland and Zimbabwe face each other in the longest format of the game.
Ireland’s recent form and squad
Ireland’s last assignment in the longest format came in February when they faced Afghanistan at the Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi. A solid all-round effort from the Irish players saw them emerge victorious by six wickets. They will be looking to emulate the same performance against Zimbabwe at home.
Andrew Balbirnie will be leading the Irish side in the only Test against Zimbabwe. The likes of Harry Tector, Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher will be looking to play a key role with the bat along with Balbirnie. They have an experienced bowling attack, comprising Mark Adair, Craig Young and Barry McCarthy.
Zimbabwe’s return to test cricket and squad
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, last played a Test match way back in February 2023. They hosted the West Indies for a two-match Test series which ended 1-0 in favor of the visitors. Zimbabwe will be hoping to bring out their A-game on Irish soil in the upcoming Test.
Craig Ervine has been handed the responsibility of leading Zimbabwe in the one-off Test against Ireland. The likes of Sean Williams, Ervine and Prince Masvaure will have to do the heavy-lifting in the batting department. Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara and Richard Ngarava will be leading the bowling attack.
Also READ: IRE vs ZIM 2024: Ireland’s best XI to face Zimbabwe in historic one-off Test
Historical context and test records
Ireland, granted Test status by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2018, became the 11th team eligible to play the longest format of the game. Since gaining Test status, Ireland have played 8 Test matches, winning 1 and losing 7.
In contrast, Zimbabwe have a much longer history in Test cricket, having been granted Test status in 1992 to become the ninth team to play red-ball cricket. Over the years, Zimbabwe have played 117 Test matches, recording 13 wins, 75 losses, and 29 draws.
Ireland vs Zimbabwe, 2024: One-Off Test
- July 25 to July 29: One- Off Test at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast, 03:15 pm IST / 9:45 am GMT / 10:45 am local
Squads:
Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young
Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (c), 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
Broadcast and Live Streaming Details:
- Indian subcontinent: Fancode
- Pakistan: Tapmad
- Sub-Saharan Africa (including Zimbabwe): SuperSport
- Ireland and UK: Cricket Ireland’s Youtube Channel
- Rest of the World: Cricket Ireland’s Youtube Channel
