Published: Jun 17, 2016, 02:14 AM (IST)
Edited: Jun 17, 2016, 09:36 AM (IST)
Zimbabwe are set to host New Zealand for a two match Test series later in July this year. Both the matches will be scheduled to take place at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. This will be the first Test match at this ground since November 2011. The first Test is scheduled from July 28 to August 1, and the second Test will be played from August 6 to 10. The last time these two sides met, the visitors won a close encounter by 34 runs. Chasing 366, Zimbabwe fell agonizingly short despite Brendan Taylor’s 117. Zimbabwe’s last Test match was in November 2014 against Bangladesh at Chittagong. ALSO READ: ZIM motivated to do well in T20Is against IND: Cremer
According to Wisden India, the visitors will play a three-day warm up game against Zimbabwe A at Bulawayo Athletic Club before the two Tests. Zimbabwe players will also prepare for the series with two four-day games, featuring for Zimbabwe A against South Africa A.
Zimbabwe are ranked 10th in the ICC Test rankings, whereas their opponents are 5th. New Zealand are captained by Kane Williamson after the retirement of Brendon McCullum earlier this year. This series will be Williamson’s first series as New Zealand’s skipper in Tests.
Zimbabwe are currently involved in series against India. They lost the three match ODI series 3-0. In the first ODI, a unbeaten century from KL Rahul guided India to a nine-wicket win chasing 169. The second ODI saw the hosts getting bowled out for 126, with India winning the match by eight wickets. And the final ODI was an similar affair, with the hosts bowled out for 123, before India chased down the target with 28.1 overs to spare.
