The upcoming sole Test match between Ireland and Zimbabwe, part of Zimbabwe‘s tour of Ireland, will be held at the Stormont Cricket Ground in Belfast on Thursday, July 25th. This encounter marks a significant event for both teams, especially as Zimbabwe are coming off a challenging T20I series against India, where they were convincingly defeated.

Recent Test performances and rankings

Zimbabwe last played a Test match in February 2023, suffering a narrow defeat to the West Indies by four runs. Their performance in the last Test results has positioned them 10th in the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings. Ireland, currently ranked 11th, won their last Test match by six wickets against Afghanistan earlier this year, in February 2024.

Also READ: Zimbabwe announce squad for historic one-off Test against Ireland

Zimbabwe’s top-choice playing XI for the only Test at Stormont against Ireland:

1. Craig Ervine (Captain)

At 38 years old, Ervine brings a wealth of experience to the Zimbabwe team. As the captain, he has amassed over 6,000 international runs, demonstrating his significant contribution to the team’s batting lineup.

2. Dion Myers

Myers made an impressive debut against Bangladesh in 2021, scoring 53 runs. With an average of 26.50 in Test cricket, he is a promising young talent.

3. Prince Masvaure

With 8 Test matches under his belt, Masvaure has scored 346 runs and notched up three half-centuries, showcasing his potential as a reliable batter.

4. Sean Williams

One of Zimbabwe’s most seasoned players, Williams is a top all-rounder with over 7,000 international runs and more than 150 wickets across formats, making him a key player for Zimbabwe.

5. Brian Bennett

The 20-year-old Bennett is set to make his Test debut. A batting all-rounder, Bennett has been impressive in first-class cricket with over 700 runs at an average of 44.18 and a highest score of 264 not out.

6. Roy Kaia:

Kaia has played 3 Test matches, accumulating 59 runs with a highest score of 48. He will look to enhance his performance in this series.

7. Joylord Gumbie (Wicketkeeper)

The wicketkeeper-batter is set to debut in this Test. With 2,545 runs in 61 first-class matches and four centuries, Gumbie is expected to add depth to the middle order.

8. Blessing Muzarabani

A 27-year-old fast bowler, Muzarabani has 19 wickets in 6 Test matches and an impressive 135 international wickets, making him a crucial asset to the Zimbabwean bowling attack.

9. Richard Ngarava:

Ngarava, a left-arm fast bowler, has played 4 Test matches and taken 5 wickets. His ODI and T20I records are also notable, with 56 wickets in 44 ODI matches and 63 wickets in 55 T20I matches.

10. Tendai Chatara

An experienced fast bowler, Chatara has taken 24 wickets in 9 Test matches, including a five-wicket haul against Pakistan. He also boasts an impressive ODI record with 115 wickets in 87 matches.

11. Victor Nyauchi:

Nyauchi has played 8 Test matches and taken 20 wickets, with a career-best five-wicket haul in Zimbabwe’s recent Test against the West Indies, highlighting his potential as a key bowler.

Also READ: Ireland unveils 14-member squad for the historic first Test against Zimbabwe