Bulawayo to host New Zealand Tests
Test cricket will return to the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo for the first time in nearly five years when Zimbabwe host New Zealand for a two-Test series late next month.
The last of the 19 Tests at the Queens Sports Club was in November 2011 when, coincidentally, Zimbabwe took on New Zealand. Martin Guptill made a century, and Daniel Vettori and debutant Doug Bracewell took five wickets in an innings each, as New Zealand pulled off a thrilling 34-run win, Zimbabwe’s spirited chase of 366 on the back of Brendan Taylor’s 117 ending at 331.
New Zealand will play both their Tests on tour at the Queens Sports Club. The first Test is scheduled for July 28 to August 1, while the second Test will be played between August 6 and 10.
Kane Williamson’s team is scheduled to arrive in Zimbabwe on July 20 and play a three-day warm-up game against Zimbabwe A at the Bulawayo Athletic Club, the first international venue in Bulawayo, ahead of the Test series.
As Zimbabwe prepare for their first taste of Test cricket since November 2014, they will warm up with two four-day games between Zimbabwe A and South Africa A. The first of those games is from July 9 to 12 at the Harare Sports Club, while the Queens Sports Club will host the second four-dayer from July 15 to 18.
Zimbabwe’s last Test was against Bangladesh in Chittagong from November 12 to 16, a game they lost by 186 runs on their way to a 0-3 drubbing in the three-match series.
New Zealand tour of Zimbabwe, 2016
1st Test :- 28 Jul - 01 Aug
Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
1:30 PM IST
2nd Test :- 06 - 10 Aug
Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
1:30 PM IST
Bulawayo to host New Zealand Tests
