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BELFAST. — It’s not often that Ireland and Zimbabwe get to play Test cricket, and this will be the first ever red-ball encounter between the two sides.
The one-off Test match in Belfast gets underway today.
Rust is inevitable for the tourists who haven’t featured in the longest format since February 2023.
They are also grappling with a squad that is short on experience with a plethora of young talent who’ve only recently made it to the Test squad.
The onus will be on the experienced players in skipper Craig Ervine and Sean Williams to shoulder the batting department while Blessing Muzarabani will spearhead the bowling unit.
While Zimbabwe are short on experience in their squad, Ireland are a rookie Test team in general, having only made their debut in the longest format six years ago. However, they have played more Tests during this period than their opponents. The home side are also coming fresh off a historic Test win over Afghanistan in UAE earlier this year, their first-ever win in red-ball cricket.
The fact that it came away from home in testing conditions will have boosted the morale of the Irish side. Ireland do have plenty of players with County cricket experience and it has helped them in the transition to Test cricket.
With large gaps between from their previous game in the longest format, the playing XIs could make for interesting reading for both sides, particularly Zimbabwe.
The tourists could opt for a mix of youth and experience while Ireland’s side looks settled for home conditions. While they have added an extra spinner in the squad, it is likely that they will opt for a pace-heavy side, even though it is late into the summer in Ireland.
On paper, Ireland are strong favourites, more so in home conditions against a Zimbabwe side that look potentially rusty with regards to red-ball cricket.—Cricbuzz
Online Reporter