Zimbabwe’s national cricket team, the Chevrons, are set to face their toughest challenge yet as they host the world Test champions, South Africa, in a two-match Test series beginning this week in Bulawayo. With only one win in their last five Test matches – a hard-fought victory over Bangladesh in April – Craig Ervine’s side will need to dig deep to compete against a Proteas outfit in red-hot form.
South Africa arrive in Zimbabwe off the back of five straight Test victories, including a thrilling win over Australia. Despite not fielding a full-strength side, the Proteas have named a formidable squad, featuring exciting young talent like Dewald Brevis and teenage pace sensation Kwena Maphaka. Lungi Ngidi adds experience to their pace attack, while several players from their recent World Test Championship-winning campaign will be keen to assert their dominance.
The last time the two sides met in the longest format was back in December 2017, a match South Africa won convincingly by an innings and 120 runs. Since then, Zimbabwe have endured a difficult run in Test cricket, and will be hoping to show signs of progress against the game’s elite.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be without the experienced Sikandar Raza, currently playing in the Major League Cricket in the United States, and have chosen to rest Richard Ngarava and Ben Curran. The spotlight will fall on seasoned campaigners like Sean Williams and captain Craig Ervine, while Clive Madande and Wessley Madhevere offer hope in the middle order.
Youngster Nyamhuri, the youngest player in the squad, will be up against one of the world’s best batting attacks – a baptism of fire by any standard. The Chevrons will look to Blessing Muzarabani to lead the bowling attack with the same fire he’s shown in recent outings.
Victory may be a long shot, but spirited performances from Bennett, Ervine, Williams and Muzarabani could spark something special in Bulawayo.
