England to host Zimbabwe in 2025 for first Test assembly in 22 years
E
ngland are set to host Zimbabwe in a one-off four-day match in 2025, the primary Test assembly between the perimeters in additional than 20 years.
Zimbabwe performed their final Test in England again in 2003, with cricketing relations between the international locations marred by political tensions whereas Robert Mugabe was chief of the African nation.
More broadly, Zimbabwe have struggled to rearrange Test fixtures in opposition to the main sides having been excluded from the World Test Championship, regardless of holding Full Member standing. A 1-0 collection defeat within the West Indies earlier this yr ended a run of greater than 18 months with out a Test match.
“We are delighted to be able to host Zimbabwe for a Men’s Test match for the first time in two decades,” ECB chief government Richard Gould mentioned.
“Zimbabwe has a proud cricket history and have produced world-class players and coaches who have enriched the game across the world.
“We are committed to developing a closer relationship with Zimbabwe Cricket and the announcement of this Test against our England Men’s team is a step in that ambition.”
The two sides will play a four-day match in late May 2025, with the venue for that recreation to be introduced at a later date. England’s solely different dwelling Test dedication that summer season is a five-match collection in opposition to India, that means the Zimbabwe Test will possible function a de-facto warm-up in an identical vein to the assembly with Ireland that preceded this yr’s Ashes collection.
“We are absolutely delighted to be playing bilateral cricket in England for the first time in over two decades,” Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni mentioned. “The significance and magnitude of this tour cannot be over-emphasised, and I would like to say a huge thank you to the ECB for committing to the resumption of cricketing relations between our countries that date back to the introduction of the game in Zimbabwe in the 1890s.
“The experience of playing a Test match against a top team like England is massive for the current generation of our players, coming at a time when our game as a whole is on an upward trajectory.
“This will be a historic tour for everyone involved with cricket in Zimbabwe and we are already looking forward to some exciting action on the field of play.”