IRE vs ZIM Match Analysis

Ireland will meet Zimbabwe in this one-off Test match at Stormont, Belfast’s Civil Service Cricket Club. On Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 11:00 local time, the game begins.

Ireland will be keen to win this one-off Test in Belfast to move up to the number two spot after defeating Afghanistan in late February. Gavin Hoey, an uncapped leg-spinner, was called up to the squad and is anticipated to start in the starting lineup.

Under the leadership of Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe has unveiled an intriguing roster for this special one-off Test in Belfast, which combines some of their most seasoned players with a youthful bunch that has shown promise in previous international matches.

IRE vs ZIM Team Preview & Squads

Ireland

Despite their lack of expertise in this format, Ireland’s batting lineup is largely composed of players with extensive international experience who have represented their nation in all formats. In Test cricket, both Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker possess the ability to play extended and forceful innings.

Josh Little will not be available for this Test; instead, he chose to remain in the 2024 Major League Cricket. Craig Young, Barry McCarty, and Mark Adair will be the main pace threats in this match. Gavin Hoey and Andy McBrine, two spinners, will both want to escalate their threat level as the Test goes on.

Ireland won their first Test match in this format in their most recent match, having failed to do so in their previous seven Test matches.

Ireland Squads

Ireland Squads

Andy Balbirnie (c), Lorcan Tucker (wk), Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Craig Young, Curtis Campher, Barry McCarthy, Jamie McCollum, Gavin Hoey

Zimbabwe

Sean Williams, a former captain of Zimbabwe, will provide experience to the batting lineup and might even bat first on Thursday. After making strong performances in their most recent white-ball matches, Brian Bennett and Jonathan Campbell will now try to carry that success into Test cricket.

In this encounter, we anticipate that Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, and Victor Nyauchi will all be part of Zimbabwe’s pace attack with the ball. Over the game’s five days, their experience will be very important.

Zimbabwe’s current six-Test match losing streak dates back to March 2021. They have not won any of these games.

Zimbabwe Squads

Zimbabwe Squads

Craig Ervine (c), Clive Madande (wk), Sean Williams, Brian Bennett, Richard Ngarava, Jonathan Campbell, Tendai Chatara, Dion Myers, Blessing Muzarabani, Prince Masvaure, Victor Nyauchi 

IRE vs ZIM outfield report

Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast

This venue will be hosting its first test. The side chasing the target has won 17 of the 31 T20Is. In ODIs, the statistics are nearly identical. Here, the side that wins the toss ought to bowl first.

It will be a gloomy and humid day. Each of the five days is predicted to see rain. The range of temperatures will be 11°C to 19°C.

In the first few days, Belfast’s surface should be ideal for batting, but after the third and final session, we anticipate that the pitch will start to spin.

IRE vs ZIM Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

This will be the first test between them.

Ireland vs Zimbabwe Prediction

Winning the toss

• Ireland

Player of the Match

• Ireland – Lorcan Tucker

Most runs

• Ireland – Lorcan Tucker
• Zimbabwe – Sean Williams

Most wickets

• Ireland – Mark Adair
• Zimbabwe – Richard Ngarava

Most sixes

• Ireland – Lorcan Tucker
• Zimbabwe – Sean Williams

Team Scores Batting First

• Ireland – 300+
• Zimbabwe – 250+

According to cricket analysts, Ireland has a 51% chance of winning.