The England males’s cricket staff will host Zimbabwe in a Check match in 2025 as the perimeters meet within the recreation’s longest format for the primary time in over 20 years.
The match will probably be a four-day Check from Might 28-31, at a venue to be confirmed, following profitable discussions between the England and Wales Cricket Board and Zimbabwe Cricket to forge nearer relations.
England have confronted Zimbabwe six instances beforehand in Check cricket, touring the African nation in 1996 for a two-Check sequence which was drawn and internet hosting sequence’ in 2000 and 2003.
England have been victorious in each of these two-match sequence, profitable 1-0 and 2-0 respectively. Zimbabwe’s tour in 2003 noticed England’s all-time main wicket-taker James Anderson make his Check debut within the first Check at Lord’s, claiming 5-73 within the first innings.
ECB chief govt officer, Richard Gould, mentioned: “We’re delighted to have the ability to host Zimbabwe for a males’s Check match for the primary time in 20 years.
“Zimbabwe has a proud cricket historical past and have produced world-class gamers and coaches who’ve enriched the sport the world over.
“This summer time’s Ashes sequence showcased all that’s nice about Check cricket and, whereas we have to be conscious of the calls for of world cricket’s schedule, we additionally need to assist develop Check cricket and discover alternatives to play extra nations the place we are able to.”
Zimbabwe Cricket managing director, Givemore Makoni, mentioned: “The importance and magnitude of this tour can’t be over-emphasised, and I wish to say an enormous thanks to the ECB for committing to the resumption of cricketing relations between our nations that date again to the introduction of the sport in Zimbabwe within the Nineties.
“The expertise of enjoying a Check match in opposition to a high staff like England is huge for the present technology of our gamers, coming at a time when our recreation as an entire is on an upward trajectory.
“This will probably be a historic tour for everybody concerned with cricket in Zimbabwe and we’re already trying ahead to some thrilling motion on the sphere of play.”