NZ returns to play in whites without stars, Zimbabwe looks for a comeback
NZ returns to play in whites without stars, Zimbabwe looks for a comeback
The New Zealand Cricket Board announced its 15-member Test squad for the Zimbabwe tour on July 7. Medium-fast bowler Matthew Fisher has earned his maiden Test call-up. Jacob Duffy is expected to make his Test debut in this series.
New Zealand returns to Test cricket after a long break their last appearance was in December 2024 against England in Hamilton. This upcoming two-match series against Zimbabwe doesn’t count towards the World Test Championship, so it offers them a relaxed opportunity to settle back into the rhythm and demands of red-ball cricket.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has been quite active this year, playing seven Tests, the same number as Australia. But their record hasn’t been encouraging, with six losses and just one win, making it the weakest performance of any Test team in 2025. Historically, Zimbabwe hasn’t had much success against New Zealand either. In 17 meetings, they’ve suffered 11 defeats and managed just six draws.
This New Zealand squad is a little light on experience, with several key players missing. Captain Tom Latham is recovering from a shoulder injury, Kane Williamson is unavailable due to his commitments with Middlesex and London Spirit, Kyle Jamieson is staying home to welcome his first child, and Glenn Phillips is sidelined by a groin injury from the MLC. In Latham’s absence, Mitchell Santner will lead the side he's done the job in white-ball formats, but this will be his first time captaining in Test cricket.
Zimbabwe recently struggled against an understrength South Africa, but they’ve strengthened their lineup for this series. The return of allrounder Sikandar Raza brings valuable balance and experience, while opener Ben Curran is expected to add stability at the top. Brendan Taylor is eligible to play again now that his ban has ended, although he hasn’t been named in the current squad.
Zimbabwe (probable): Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga
New Zealand (probable): Will Young, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke, Matt Fisher