Leicester, 15 May 2025 – Zimbabwe will ramp up preparations for their historic Test match against England with a crucial four-day warm-up fixture against a Professional County Club (PCC) Select XI, beginning Thursday, 16 May, at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester.
This tour match marks Zimbabwe’s only game ahead of their highly anticipated return to red-ball cricket on English soil for the first time since 2003. The one-off Test at Trent Bridge, scheduled for 22–25 May, is seen as a landmark occasion in Zimbabwe’s Test journey and broader cricketing revival.
Zimbabwe target English conditions in four-day tour match
Dion Ebrahim, Zimbabwe’s Assistant Coach, emphasized the importance of using the match to adapt to English playing conditions, including the Dukes ball and pitch behaviour.
“It’s a chance for our bowlers and batsmen to spend time out in the middle and refine their game plans for England. Adapting to different conditions is part of being an international cricketer.”
Ebrahim noted that the match will help the team focus on basics and maintain consistency — key elements for competing against a top-tier Test side like England.
Symbolic return to the Test arena
Ebrahim also highlighted the broader significance of Zimbabwe’s return to Test cricket in England after more than two decades:
“The fact that we get to play England after such a long break is super special. It’s important for us as a nation trying to climb the Test rankings to perform against elite teams and show how good we can be.”
Squads: Zimbabwe blend experience with youth
Zimbabwe’s squad is led by Craig Ervine and includes senior players like Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, and Blessing Muzarabani, alongside promising talents such as Ben Curran, Wessly Madhevere, and Brian Bennett.
- Zimbabwe Test Squad: Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams.
The PCC Select XI, captained by Josh De Caires (Middlesex), features standout county prospects including Dan Mousley, Thomas Rew, and Luc Benkenstein.
- PCC Select XI Squad: Josh De Caires (captain), Archie Bailey, Luc Benkenstein, Jafer Chohan, Ben Dawkins, Alex Green, Eddie Jack, Mitch Killeen, Ben Mayes, Seb Morgan, Dan Mousley, Thomas Rew, Jamal Richards.
Match details and context
The warm-up game begins at 11:00 local time (10:00 GMT) and serves as Zimbabwe’s final preparation before their historic red-ball return at Trent Bridge. For Zimbabwe, it’s more than a warm-up — it’s a statement of intent as they re-enter the Test arena with ambitions to compete at the highest level.
