Ireland brace for Zim series

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Morgan Topping is set to be handed his first international cap for the Irish cricket team when they visit Zimbabwe for a full tour next month.

Zimbabwe will host Ireland in a full tour that will begin with a Test match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo from February 6-10. After the one-off Test match, the tour will move to Harare for a three-match ODI series be-ginning on February 14.

The tour concludes with a three-match T20I series set for February 22, 23, and 25.

In a statement ahead of the series, Ireland Cricket is bracing up for the full tour, which will see Topping making his international debut for the Irish cricket senior team.

“Morgan Topping gains his first international call-up at senior level, having recovered from injury, which prevented him from making his debut against South Africa last year.

“He has demonstrated key attributes needed to perform at an international level over recent Wolves and Academy fixtures, and we wish him well,” reads the Cricket Ireland statement.

With two sides having played competitive matches, Cricket Ireland is looking forward to a competitive tour against the Chevrons.

“Since 2007, there have been some wonderful contests against Zimbabwe, and this should be no different — and it’s exciting to have all three formats on this tour.

“It’s going to be exciting to see our two young spinners and the likes of Ross Adair again in action alongside the experienced players, and we do, of course, have the return of Josh Little, who had a big impact the last time we were in Zimbabwe,” said Cricket Ireland.

After suffering a tour defeat against Afghanistan, Zimbabwe will be hoping to bounce back to utilise home advantage and return to winning ways.

Ireland and Zimbabwe have met once in the Test format, with Ireland emerging victorious with an eight-wicket victory.

In the ODIs series, the two sides have met 22 times, and Ireland have an upper hand, winning 10 matches, while Zimbabwe won on eight occasions, with three matches ending with no result and a single tie. In the T20Is, Ireland have won eight times while Zimbabwe has won seven times.