Zimbabwe bat first as Santner leads new-look New Zealand in Bulawayo Test

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine won the toss and chose to bat first against a strong New Zealand side in the opening Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. The hosts have welcomed back Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, and Sikandar Raza into a reshaped top six as they seek to break a poor home record and claim a rare win over the Black Caps.

Curran returns from a broken hand, Bennett from concussion, and Raza from his Major League Cricket stint in the USA. The batting line-up is completed by Nick Welch, Sean Williams, and Ervine, with no place yet for former captain Brendan Taylor. Although eligible after serving a three-and-a-half-year ban, Taylor has not been included in the XI but is with the squad and could be in contention for the second Test.

Zimbabwe’s last home Test win came over a decade ago — against Pakistan in 2013 — and they haven’t triumphed in Bulawayo since beating Bangladesh in 2001. This year alone, they’ve lost all four of their Tests at this venue.

With the ball, Blessing Muzarabani leads a seam attack alongside Tanaka Chivanga and debutant Newman Nyamhuri. Spin duties fall to Raza and left-armer Wellington Masakadza.

New Zealand, meanwhile, are captained for the first time in Tests by Mitchell Santner, who becomes the 32nd man to lead his country in the format, stepping in for Tom Latham who is sidelined following shoulder surgery.

Devon Conway returns to the XI to partner Will Young at the top, while Henry Nicholls plays his first Test since December 2023. Rachin Ravindra slots in at No.4 with Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell forming a solid middle order.

The tourists have opted for a balanced bowling attack, with seamers Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, and debutant Nathan Smith, alongside the spin duo of Santner and Michael Bracewell.

Zimbabwe XI:

1. Brian Bennett

2. Ben Curran

3. Nick Welch

4. Sean Williams

5. Craig Ervine (capt)

6. Sikandar Raza

7. Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk)

8. Wellington Masakadza

9. Newman Nyamhuri

10. Blessing Muzarabani

11. Tanaka Chivanga

New Zealand XI:

1. Will Young

2. Devon Conway

3. Henry Nicholls

4. Rachin Ravindra

5. Daryl Mitchell

6. Tom Blundell (wk)

7. Michael Bracewell

8. Mitchell Santner (capt)

9. Nathan Smith

10. Matt Henry

11. Will O’Rourke

The match promises to be a key test of depth for both teams, with Zimbabwe seeking stability and New Zealand trialling fresh combinations in the absence of senior names.