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ZIM vs NZ 1st Test: All you need to know, head to head, playing XI
The first Test of the two-match series between Zimbabwe and New Zealand is set to start on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Both tests will be held at the historic Queens Sports Club. Zimbabwe will host New Zealand in what is not a part of the current World Test Championship cycle, giving teams the freedom to play with less pressure.
Zimbabwe, who will be led by Craig Ervine, have a very solid lineup boasting the likes of Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, and Brian Bennett and emerging talents such as Ben Curran, and Tanaka Chivanga. New Zealand's team will be captained by Mitchell Santner in the absence of regular captain Tom Latham, who has been ruled out of the first Test with a shoulder injury.
The Black Caps will have support from players like Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra. Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway. Notably, Glenn Phillips, part of New Zealand’s T20 squad in Zimbabwe, has been sidelined due to a groin injury. Michael Bracewell has been named as his replacement in the Test side. Both teams will look to play high-octane cricket and gain an upper hand in the series.
Head-to-head
Matches - 17
ZIM won - 0
NZ won - 11
Drawn - 6
Zimbabwe likely XI: 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 likely XI: 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
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