Huge image: Can Eire shake off the rust?
For Zimbabwe, who final received a Take a look at in March 2021, this can be a likelihood to finish their drought. Whereas most of these losses have been heavy, the one towards Eire final July something however. In reality, they have been nicely positioned initially of the ultimate day earlier than they let the sport slip. So, they are going to wish to make amends.
Zimbabwe are with out Sikandar Raza, who’s within the UAE for the ILT20, however they are going to be buoyed by the presence of Sean Williams, who’s match after fighting a again harm through the current Take a look at collection towards Afghanistan. Williams was the joint-highest run-getter (254) for Zimbabwe in that collection together with captain Craig Ervine. The pair will kind the core of Zimbabwe’s batting line-up as soon as once more.
Type information
Zimbabwe LDLLD (final 5 Assessments, most up-to-date first)
Eire WWLLL
Within the highlight: Blessing Muzarabani and Harry Tector
Crew information: Raza to remain at ILT20
With Raza not obtainable and Zimbabwe leaving out Dion Myers and Tadiwanashe Marumani, certainly one of Vincent Masekesa (legspinner) and Nicholas Welch (top-order batter) – who’re the brand new additions to the squad – would possibly get a recreation. With Brian Bennett providing all-round choices, Zimbabwe have the choice of handing Johnathan Campbell, the son of former Alistair Campbell, a spot within the high order.
Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Joylord Gumbie (wk), 2 Ben Curran, 3 Johnathan Campbell, 4 Craig Ervine (capt), 5 Sean Williams, 6 Takudzwanashe Kaitano, 7 Brian Bennett, 8 Newman Nyamhuri, 9 Vincent Masekesa, 10 Richard Ngarava, 11 Blessing Muzarabani
Eire would possibly go unchanged from their final Take a look at match. In addition they have the choice of bringing in legspinner Gavin Hoey rather than left-arm fingerspinner Matthew Humphreys, if the pitch is much less conducive to spin.
Eire (possible): 1 Peter Moor, 2 Andy Balbirnie (capt), 3 Curtis Campher, 4 Harry Tector, 5 Paul Stirling, 6 Lorcan Tucker (wk), 7 Andy McBrine, 8 Mark Adair, 9 Barry McCarthy, 10 Craig Younger/Gavin Hoey, 11 Matthew Humphreys
Pitch and situations
The 2 Assessments between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan produced contrasting contests, with the primary one seeing 1427 runs for simply 24 wickets, and the second producing 968 for 40. Whereas there is not a lot recognized in regards to the nature of the floor, the climate – as Tector put it – is “positively going to be sizzling”. So spinners might play a giant position as the sport goes on.
Stats and Trivia
- Zimbabwe’s final Take a look at win at residence got here in 2013 vs Pakistan. They’ve performed 16 Assessments since with out having received any. They’re the one workforce and not using a Take a look at win at residence because the begin of 2014.
- Zimbabwe’s final and solely Take a look at win at Bulawayo got here in 2001 towards Bangladesh. They’ve performed 19 Assessments on the venue since shedding 14.
- All of the 13 Take a look at wins of Zimbabwe to date have come towards Asian groups. Their lone Take a look at towards Eire additionally resulted in a defeat.
- The Bulawayo Take a look at might be Eire’s tenth match within the format, of which they received two. Solely Australia (six) and Afghanistan (three) have had extra wins of their first ten Assessments.
Quotes
“I’ve discovered that my scoring shot selections have grow to be far more selective and the chances have grow to be lots larger in direction of me than in direction of the bowler. I simply grew to become a bit bit calmer as a batsman.”
Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams on his present strategy to batting
“With the quantity of white-ball cricket we play, you do really feel you must transfer the sport alongside. However in Take a look at cricket generally you possibly can take up strain after which there are durations the place you possibly can add strain. In order that’s in all probability the factor I am making an attempt to be taught and adapt to rapidly.”
Eire’s Harry Tector on discovering the rhythm of batting in Assessments
Ekanth is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo
