Zimbabwe Announces Test Squad for Ireland Clash, Featuring New Faces

Zimbabwe has announced its Test squad for the upcoming one-off match against Ireland, scheduled for July 25-29 in Belfast. The squad features several new faces, including Clive Madande, Brian Bennett, and Johnathan Campbell, who have all been part of the ongoing T20I series against India. Joylord Gumbie, who is yet to make his Test debut, has also been included in the 15-man squad.

Zimbabwe last played a Test match in February 2023 against West Indies in Bulawayo. They are not part of the ICC's World Test Championship and will be traveling to Ireland for their first-ever Test match against the Irish.

Craig Ervine will lead the Zimbabwean team, while Sean Williams, who missed the West Indies series due to injury, makes a comeback. Williams, along with Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani, Victor Nyauchi, and Richard Ngarava, will provide the team with much-needed experience.

Of the new faces, Bennett and Campbell have only played T20Is so far, while Madande has appeared in both ODIs and T20Is. Ervine and Williams are the most experienced Test players in the squad, with 20 and 14 appearances, respectively.

Ireland, on the other hand, has only played eight Tests since making their debut in 2018. They lost their first seven Tests before securing their first win against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.

Zimbabwe's squad for the one-off Test in Ireland:

* Craig Ervine (capt)

* Brian Bennett

* Johnathan Campbell

* Tendai Chatara

* Tanaka Chivanga

* Joylord Gumbie (wk)

* Roy Kaia

* Clive Madande (wk)

* Wellington Masakadza

* Prince Masvaure

* Blessing Muzarabani

* Dion Myers

* Richard Ngarava

* Victor Nyauchi

* Sean Williams

Tags: #ZimbabweCricket, #IrelandCricket, #TestCricket, #CliveMadande, #BrianBennett