Continuing the legacy and tradition of Test cricket, England and Zimbabwe will face off in a Test match for the first time in 22 years. This historic Test match will be played in England, commencing on May 22, 2025. Significantly, this will be a four-day Test.
Sports News: A new chapter in cricket history is about to unfold as England and Zimbabwe clash in a Test match at Trent Bridge on May 22, 2025. While just a single Test, its significance is historic—marking the first bilateral Test match between these two nations in 22 years. Further noteworthy is that this Test will be a four-day affair instead of the traditional five-day format.
Restored Cricket Ties After a Long Hiatus
England and Zimbabwe last played a Test match against each other in 2003. England won that match at Lord's by an innings and 69 runs. Following this, relations between the two countries' cricket boards deteriorated due to political reasons, particularly during the Robert Mugabe regime. As a result, no bilateral series could be held between the two teams.
However, with improvements in Zimbabwean cricket and their return to the international stage, this historic encounter has become possible once again. Following discussions between the England Cricket Board (ECB) and the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU), it was decided to hold a four-day Test match in May 2025.
Experience with Four-Day Tests
This will be Zimbabwe's second four-day Test. Their previous four-day Test was against South Africa in Gqeberha (then Port Elizabeth) in 2017. England has slightly more experience in this format, having played two four-day Tests against Ireland in 2019 and 2023. This four-day Test format tends to be more exciting and results-oriented than the traditional format, as the reduced time necessitates a more aggressive and decisive approach from the teams.
Squads Announced
Both teams have announced their squads. Veteran Craig Ervine will captain Zimbabwe. The return of star all-rounder Sikandar Raza will be a significant boost to the team's morale. England's squad features expected names, with opportunities given to some younger players as well.
Zimbabwe Team: Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande (Wicketkeeper), Wesley Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyauchi, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga (Wicketkeeper), Nick Welch, and Sean Williams.
England Team: Ben Stokes (Captain), Ben Duckett, Jack Crawley, Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Jordan Cox, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, and Josh Tongue.
Match Details
- Dates: May 22-25, 2025
- Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham
- Time: 3:30 PM IST
- Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on major sports channels and digital platforms.
England and Zimbabwe have played a total of six Test matches against each other. England has won three, while the remaining three ended in draws. Zimbabwe is yet to win a Test match against England. Zimbabwe first played a Test against England in 1996, and this will be their third tour of England.
