Zimbabwe vs South Africa, 1st Test - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

For Zimbabwe, this is an opportunity that doesn't come along very often. Not part of the WTC championship, they're playing a Test against their neighbours for the first time in eight years. However, they've had a busier Test calendar than usual, having already played six Tests in the last six months. Most of those results haven't gone their way though and it's going to be a daunting challenge over these next couple of weeks against a team that is missing most of their heroes from Lord's, but is stacked with allround talent.

9.10am local: In a celebratory mood after their historic WTC triumph, South Africa arrive in Zimbabwe for two Tests, both of which take place at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Hello and welcome to our coverage of this series which is set to feature some new faces, especially for the Proteas. The likes of Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius - already familiar names thanks to their exploits in global franchise cricket - will get a chance to don the whites as they've been confirmed in the XI which was named ahead of this game. Codi Yusuf, the 27-year-old allrounder, will be the third debutant under the leadership of Keshav Maharaj who fills in for the injured Temba Bavuma.

South Africa (Playing XI): Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne(w), Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj(c), Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka

Preview

From A to Z. Or from Arundel to Zimbabwe. The last step of South Africa's preparation for the WTC final against Australia at Lord's earlier this month was a four-day match against Zimbabwe at Arundel. Now the champions are in Bulawayo to play what might be called the Thank You Series, starting on Saturday.

Quite how much the South Africans gained at Arundel, where the match was reduced to 90 overs by rain and fears of what a wet outfield might do to ankles, is debatable. But the Zimbabweans were there when their southern neighbours needed them. So they earned their slice of the credit for South Africa's five-wicket triumph inside four days at Lord's.

Queens is a long way from Lord's in every sense, but there is no doubt Zimbabwe's second city is far friendlier than London. Doubtless the champions will have been welcomed in style, because Zimbabweans do not hesitate to be hospitable. Indeed, the mayor of Bulawayo himself, David Coltart, has been in touch to organise a reception.

The cricket itself might also be friendly. Blessing Muzarabani and Kwena Maphaka are likely to be the only bowlers picked who could do batters damage, which they might struggle with given they will play on one of the most docile pitches in world cricket.

Queens tends to offer neither bounce, seam movement, swing nor turn. It is built for runs, runs and more runs. If you're Dewald Brevis or Lhuan-dre Pretorius, it's the perfect place to make your debut.

It's also a good place to be the visiting team. Zimbabwe have won only one of the 28 Tests there, against Bangladesh in April 2001. Ten Queens Tests have been drawn, including half of the last six. The Zimbabweans managed to lose the other three to some of Test cricket's lesser lights - West Indies, Afghanistan and Ireland.

Zimbabwe have lost eight of their nine Tests against South Africa and drawn the other. So there will be no pretence about who the favourites are, even with Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs rested. But that's not what this is about.

South Africa last played in Zimbabwe in September 2014 - in an ODI in Harare - and their last Test there was also in the capital a month earlier. The most recent Test between the teams in either country was at St George's Park in December 2017. The day/nighter, scheduled for four days, was over inside two.

If you're in dire need of matches in the format, as South Africa are, why not pop across the Limpopo more often? Or invite the Zimbos to do the same? Because Tests don't make money. On top of that, this series doesn't even carry WTC points. It is Test cricket for Test cricket's sake. Given cricket's modern mercenary mayhem, maybe that's no bad thing.

When: June 28 to July 2, 2025; 10am Local Time (8am GMT, 1.30pm IST)

Where: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

What to expect: The flattest of pitches is no friend to any type of bowler. But at least the temperatures should be in the low 20s Celsius throughout.

Team news:

Zimbabwe: Ben Curran and Richard Ngarava are out with injuries, and Sikandar Raza is otherwise occupied at the MLC. Prince Masvaure could play his first Test since July 2024.

Possible XI: Brian Bennett, Prince Masvaure, Nick Welch, Craig Ervine (capt), Sean Williams, Wesley Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga, Kundai Matigimu, Newman Nyamhuri.

South Africa: Temba Bavuma's troublesome hamstring has taken him out of the mix. Keshav Maharaj, who has captained South Africa in seven ODIs and five T20Is, will lead them for the first time in a Test. Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis and Codi Yusuf will make debuts.

Confirmed XI: Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj (capt), Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka.

What they said:

"Teams always want to play against the world champions. So there's more emphasis on making sure we execute well and focus, whatever is thrown at us." - Keshav Maharaj confronts being part of a team who suddenly have a target on their backs.

Squads:

Zimbabwe Squad: Craig Ervine(c), Brian Bennett, Sean Williams, Nick Welch, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande(w), Wessly Madhevere, Vincent Masekesa, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga, Trevor Gwandu, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Newman Nyamhuri, Wellington Masakadza, Kundai Matigimu, Prince Masvaure

South Africa Squad: Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne(w), Keshav Maharaj(c), Corbin Bosch, Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka, Lesego Senokwane, Zubayr Hamza, Lungi Ngidi, Prenelan Subrayen