South Africa to play four-day clash against Zimbabwe ahead of WTC Final 2025

Published - 31 May 2025, 21:54 IST | Updated - 31 May 2025, 22:42 IST

South Africa will meet Zimbabwe for a four-day warm-up game from June 3 in England at the Arundel Castle Cricket Ground in Sussex. This will be a preparation match for the Proteas, as they will take on Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at the Lord’s from June 11.

South Africa last featured in the red-ball format in a home series against Pakistan, which they won 2-0 in January 2025. The warm-up between the neighbouring countries will provide a chance to get used to the longest format ahead of the Ultimate Test.

Zimbabwe are coming off after a historic appearance in a one-off Test against England at Trent Bridge. The match marked their first Test on English soil in two decades. Even though England won the clash by an innings and 45 runs, the visitors had several exciting moments from the game.

The Chevrons will not have the services of Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava but rest of the squad will provide a strong lineup in the clash against South Africa. The warm-up fixture will also be a rehearsal ahead of the two-match Test home series against the Proteas in Bulawayo scheduled for June and July.

Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy.

Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Alex Falao, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tanunurwa Makoni, Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams.