Zimbabwe vs New Zealand 2025: Head to head record, Probable playing XI for the first Test

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New Zealand are all set to embark on a two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, with the red-ball action scheduled between July 30 and August 11, 2025. Both Tests will be played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with the first Test commencing on July 30 and the second on August 7. This series will mark the first Test encounters between these two nations since 2016. This series will not be part of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle for either team, as Zimbabwe are not among the nine competing nations, and New Zealand’s WTC campaign is scheduled to commence later in December against the West Indies.

The New Zealand squad will be led by Tom Latham, who captains a well-rounded team featuring a mix of youth and experience. The Kiwis have named five specialist batters, including Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls and Will Young, all of whom are key figures in their Test batting lineup. Their bowling unit is spearheaded by the experienced pace of Matt Henry and also includes Jacob Duffy, Michael Fisher and Will O’Rourke, alongside specialist spinner Ajaz Patel.

Notably, New Zealand will be without two of their prominent players: Kane Williamson is unavailable as he is participating in The Hundred T20 tournament, and Glenn Phillips is sidelined due to a groin injury, with Michael Bracewell stepping in as his replacement for the first Test. This series will also mark the Test debut for New Zealand’s new head coach, Rob Walter, who was appointed on June 6.

Zimbabwe, led by seasoned campaigner Craig Ervine, will be looking to put up a strong fight on home soil. The hosts have named a 16-member squad that includes eight specialist batters, such as Roy Kaia and Clive Madande. Their bowling attack will be headlined by the pace of Blessing Muzarabani and the spin of Wellington Masakadza, with support from Tendai Chivanga and Victor Masekesa.

The return of all-rounders Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams to the squad provides a significant boost to their balance and experience. Zimbabwe have endured a challenging period in Test cricket, with their last 15 Tests resulting in 12 defeats, two draws, and only one win (against Bangladesh), including four successive heavy defeats prior to this upcoming series.

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Historically, New Zealand have a dominant record against Zimbabwe in Test cricket. Dating back to their first meeting in 1992, the two sides have played 17 Tests, with the Black Caps emerging victorious in 11 of them. The remaining six matches have ended in draws, meaning Zimbabwe has yet to secure a Test victory against New Zealand. The Black Caps have won their last six straight Tests against Zimbabwe, with the most recent draw occurring way back in 2000 at the Basin Reserve. The last time these two teams met was nine years ago, in a two-Test series in Bulawayo, which New Zealand swept 2-0. Interestingly, only Latham, Nicholls, and Santner from the current New Zealand squad have previously faced Zimbabwe in a Test match.

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