Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sport Editor
ZIMBABWE will be seeking to win their first test match against Ireland when the two teams clash in the only test match slated for Queen Sports Club starting this Thursday.
The Chevrons smarting from a test series loss to Afghanistan will be seeking to win their first test of this year when they face Ireland.
It is easier said than done especially with the way the Chevrons’ performances fluctuate.
On the odd day, they can be special but then sometimes they tend to be awful.
This Thursday they step onto the Queens Sports Club pitch in Bulawayo looking to beat the Irish in a test match for the first time.
The two sides met only once in the longest format and Ireland won that meeting last year.
The hosts go into the match seeking their first win in the last six tests, while Ireland have won two in the same period, and Zimbabwe also anchor the 12-team International Cricket Council test rankings.
The return to full fitness for veteran Sean Williams is a major boost to the Chevrons’ ambitions of winning their first test this year.
The all-rounder was an injury scare for the Chevrons after he struggled with back pains in the New Year’s Day Test match against Afghanistan.
The selectors will also be hoping other battle-hardened stars in captain Craig Ervine, and bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava also come to the party.
Apart from the experience, the technical department also included two new faces, 27-year-old leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa and 26-year-old top-order batter Nicholas Welch, who have been impressive on the domestic front.
After the conclusion of the one-off test match, the two teams will move to Harare for the limited-overs matches.
