It is a fitting battle of the top two sides, as Mumbai and Delhi take each other on in the inaugural WPL final

Harmanpreet Kaur

Issy Wong

Pooja Vastrakar

Natalie Sciver-Brunt

Marizanne Kapp

Women's Premier League, 2023

Delhi Capitals

Mumbai Indians

Charged Capitals eye inaugural WPL trophy against revitalized Mumbai

The Rishabh Pant conundrum is a headscratcher that can make or break their season 

Axar Patel

Rishabh Pant

David Warner

Rovman Powell

Mitchell Marsh

Rilee Rossouw

Sarfaraz Khan

Luvnith Sisodia

Manish Pandey

Philip Salt

Prithvi Shaw

Indian Premier League, 2023

Can Delhi Capitals tackle Rishabh Pant’s absence or is it an irreparable loss?

IPL 2023 is all set to shape India’s bowling attack for the next T20 World Cup

Harshal Patel

T Natarajan

Rahul Chahar

Jasprit Bumrah

Ravichandran Ashwin

Washington Sundar

Ravi Bishnoi

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Avesh Khan

India

Judgement Day beckons India’s bowlers as road to 2024 T20WC begins

IPL, international cricket or other franchise leagues – we’ve got it all covered in our latest newsletter

Ricky Ponting

Meg Lanning

Mukesh Choudhary

Mohsin Khan

Ashton Agar

Sophie Devine

Australia tour of India, 2023

Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2023

Netherlands tour of Zimbabwe, 2023

Afghanistan and Pakistan tour of UAE, 3 T20I Series, 2023

Australia

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Lucknow Super Giants

The Cricket.com Weekly - Edition 23

Lucknow might have the most-balanced XI but one thing we have learned from the last 15 seasons is that IPL is not won on paper

KL Rahul

Quinton de Kock

Nicholas Pooran

Naveen-ul-Haq

Mark Wood

Jaydev Unadkat

Yash Thakur

IPL 2023 Preview: Rahul’s ‘strike rate’ could make or break LSG’s campaign

2022 was a season to forget for Mumbai, but by the looks of it, 2023 may not be very different

Jofra Archer

Jason Behrendorff

Jhye Richardson

Rohit Sharma

Suryakumar Yadav

IPL 2023: Mumbai brace for a turbulent season 

What&rsquo;s made the headlines?Women&rsquo;s Premier League less than a month away&nbsp;The wheels continue to be in motion to stage the maiden season of the much-awaited Women&rsquo;s Premier League. After the announcement of the team owners towards the end of January, the second week of February saw BCCI confirm the base itinerary for the tournament. We don&rsquo;t have the fixtures out yet but we now know the tournament will begin on March 4, with the final scheduled on March 26. The tournament will be played entirely at Mumbai&rsquo;s Brabourne Stadium and the DY Patil Stadium.&nbsp;BCCI also confirmed the auction on February 13 in Mumbai. Read our piece on <a href="https://www.cricket.com/news/wpl-2023-auction-players-who-could-go-for-the-big-bucks-1675862526074" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">players who could potentially attract a bidding war in the auction</a>. Considering that the T20 World Cup has just begun, right after the inaugural edition of the U19 Women&rsquo;s World Cup, you can say that Women&rsquo;s cricket has been under the limelight in the past few weeks.&nbsp;<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1676107947278-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">WTC FinalMeanwhile, ICC have confirmed that the second edition of the ICC World Test Championship Final will be played between 7 and 11 June 2023, as two years of Test cricket reaches its conclusion at The Oval in England. Australia currently top the standings, with India in hot pursuit in second place.&nbsp;Finch retires&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/4196/aaron-finch/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aaron Finch</a> has called time on his 12-year long international career. The T20 World Cup winning skipper retired from ODIs late last year. Now, announcing his retirement from T20Is, Finch has brought an end to his Australia career.&nbsp;He last played for Australia on October 31, when he led Australia in the 2022 T20 World Cup&rsquo;s group game against Ireland. Considering that Australia were not scheduled any T20 cricket until August 2023, Finch decided to draw curtains on his career citing the gap.&nbsp;&quot;Realising that I won&#39;t be playing on until the next T20 World Cup in 2024, now is the right moment step down and give the team time to plan and build toward that event,&quot; Finch said while announcing his selfless decision.Lamichhane returns<a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/66066/sandeep-lamichhane/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sandeep Lamichhane</a>, former captain of the Nepal side, is included in the national side for the tri-series against Namibia and Scotland in Kirtipur.&nbsp;The 22-year-old can make his first appearance after being arrested on 6th October 2022 on the charges of sexual harassment against a 17-year-old girl. Lamichhane spent the rest of the year behind the bars and was granted bail last week, following which he resumed his cricket training. The tri-series, a part of the ICC&#39;s Cricket World Cup League 2, will begin on February 14.&nbsp;What&rsquo;s going on in international cricket? &nbsp;- Moving on to actual cricketing action, we had a couple of Test matches scheduled in the second week of February. Rain allowed only 89 overs of play on the first two days of the first Test between Zimbabwe and West Indies in Bulawayo. But we still had plenty to cherish - a grand 336-run stand between <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/63709/tagenarine-chanderpaul/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tagenarine Chanderpaul</a> and <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/7858/kraigg-brathwaite/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kraigg Brathwaite</a> with massive hundreds for both the openers, <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/64264/alzarri-joseph/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alzarri Joseph</a>&rsquo;s fiery spell of reverse swing that almost had Zimbabwe on the mat before we saw an admirable fightback from the hosts to draw the game.&nbsp;The fightback was engineered by <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/4617/gary-ballance/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gary Ballance.</a> He marked his return to Test cricket after six years with a timely hundred for his new team - Zimbabwe. He thus became only the second cricketer after Kepler Wessels to score a Test hundred for two different nations. In another second, Tagenarine and <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/766/shivnarine-chanderpaul/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shivnarine Chanderpaul</a> have forged only the second father-son pair to score Test double hundreds, following the suit of Pakistan&rsquo;s Hanif (father) and Shoaib Mohammad (son).&nbsp;<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1676107986247-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">And last but not the least, there was also Brandon Mavuta, who pouched a 5/140 and then scored 56 with the bat, becoming only the fourth Zimbabwean to score a fifty and pick a five-for in the same Test innings.&nbsp;- India have romped to a 1-0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, rolling over the touring Aussies in a three-day finish. <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/3850/ravindra-jadeja/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ravindra Jadeja</a> (5/47, 70 and 2/34), <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/3852/rohit-sharma/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rohit Sharma</a> (120), <a href="http://Axar%20Patel" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Axar Patel</a> (0/28, 84 and 1/6) and <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/4555/ravichandran-ashwin/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ravichandran Ashwin</a> (2/42, 23 and 5/37) were the prominent stars. Australia were bowled out for scores of 177 and 91.&nbsp;Women&rsquo;s cricketWithin a space of eight days, the fortunes of South Africa&rsquo;s women&rsquo;s cricket team have fluctuated from north to south. On February 2, they clinched the home T20I tri-series, beating India in the final. But South Africa and home World Cups have not gone well together. They crashed out before the semifinals in both 2003 and 2007. And on February 10, they started their Women&rsquo;s T20 World Cup campaign with a shocking 3-run defeat against Sri Lanka. Not a great start for a side that was already under controversy for dropping their regular skipper on grounds of fitness.&nbsp;Franchise cricket- Onto the omnipresent franchise cricket, BBL saw a cracking final last Saturday (February 4). No one expected Brisbane Heat to beat Perth Scorchers at their own den. But the Heat pushed Scorchers to the hilt until Cooper Connolly and Nick Hobson (16 T20 innings between them before the final) hammered 38 off the final three overs. The Scorchers won their fifth BBL title.&nbsp;<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1676108182640-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">- Both ILT20 and SA20 are reaching the culmination point in the maiden season. Pretoria Capitals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape will lock horns for the maiden SA20 crown in Johannesburg on February 12. The final was initially scheduled for Saturday but had to postponed due to inclement weather and a waterlogged field. If you haven&rsquo;t followed the league, we have got you covered with<a href="https://www.cricket.com/news/opposing-modus-operandi-adds-spice-in-maiden-sa20-summit-clash-1676098689017" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;the road to the final for both sides</a>. In ILT20, Desert Vipers and Gulf Giants will clash in the final on the same date - February 12.- In BPL, Rangpur Riders and Fortune Barishal will kick off the play-offs stage with the Eliminator in Mirpur on February 12. Sylhet Strikers and Comilla Victorians will have a second bite at the final, courtesy of finishing in the top two with 18 points each.&nbsp;Domestic cricket- <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/10115/mayank-agarwal/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mayank Agarwal</a>&rsquo;s double hundred deserves all the praise in the semi-final stage of the ongoing Ranji Trophy. But 160 from the veteran Sheldon Jackson and 202 from skipper Arpit Vasavada has put Saurashtra in with a great chance to advance to the final. They have taken a 120-runfirst innings lead. &nbsp;- In the other semi-final, Bengal has a tight grip over Madhya Pradesh in Indore. Again, the stage was set in the first innings itself. MP were rolled over for 170 in response to Bengal&rsquo;s 438. Akash Deep picked 5/42 after centuries from Sudeep Gharami (112) and Anustup Majumdar (120).Articles&nbsp;1525 players had registered for the auction and a total of 409 cricketers - 246 Indians and 163 overseas - are set to go under the hammer. The five franchises, based out of Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Delhi, and Bengaluru, will be contesting for 90 slots with 30 being slotted for overseas players. Here is Bastab Parida with all major and minor details regarding the first ever WPL Auction which <a href="https://www.cricket.com/news/hola-bring-on-the-wpl-1676024899500" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">could be the beginning of something special</a>.Let&rsquo;s not forget the Women&rsquo;s T20 World Cup amidst the razzmatazz of T20 cricket. <a href="https://www.cricket.com/news/ten-teams-one-trophy-and-a-chance-for-india-to-rewrite-history-1676003355809" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ten teams, one trophy and a chance for India to rewrite history</a>. Shweta Haranhalli presents you India&rsquo;s chances at the showpiece event in the Rainbow Nation.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Pramod Ananth had a <a href="https://www.cricket.com/news/adam-zampa-disappointed-with-snub-but-test-cricket-remains-a-burning-desire-1675774794616" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">candid conversation with Adam Zampa</a>. It is a must read. The leg-spinner talked about his special connection with Rajasthan Royals, his new IPL franchise and his emotions regarding Test cricket and not making it to Australia&rsquo;s Test squad for the series in India.&nbsp;Watch This<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JVmpg0-WuZk" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

In this newsletter, we take you through all important cricket updates, providing a one-stop destination to satiate the cricket nerd in you

Aaron Finch

Gary Ballance

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

Ravindra Jadeja

Sandeep Lamichhane

Adam Zampa

Mayank Agarwal

Big Bash League, 2022/23

SA20 League, 2023

West Indies tour of Zimbabwe, 2023

Ranji Trophy, 2022/23

International League T20, 2023

Bangladesh Premier League, 2023

India Women

Sri Lanka Women

South Africa Women

Zimbabwe

West Indies

Perth Scorchers

Brisbane Heat

Nepal

Pretoria Capitals

Sunrisers Eastern Cape

Desert Vipers

Gulf Giants

The Cricket.com Weekly – Edition 17

Zimbabwe survived the loss of first innings centurion Gary Ballance and some testing spin bowling from West Indies duo Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase to cling on for a draw in the first Test in Bulawayo on Wednesday.Set 272 to win in a minimum of 49 overs after West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite declared their second innings at 203 for five, Zimbabwe staggered to 134 for six before stumps were drawn.That represented a gritty rearguard from the Zimbabwe lower order after they had slumped to 119 for five with former England batter Ballance edging Chase to wicketkeeper Joshua da Silva for 18.Any thoughts of chasing down the notional target were long gone with the emphasis shifting to surviving the last 70 balls at the Queens Sports Club. Brad Evans was dismissed eight balls later for a duck and, having claimed six wickets through Motie and Chase, the tourists sensed a dramatic victory.But wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga dug in with a dogged 24 not out off 83 balls while tail-ender Wellington Masakadza saw off 36 deliveries for a vital match-saving nought not out.The first three innings in the match were all declared with almost 100 overs lost to rain over the first two days. West Indies opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul was named player of the match for his 207 not out in the first innings, his first Test century.Ballance also enjoyed a memorable debut for Zimbabwe, marking it with a first innings 137 which made him only the second batsman after Kepler Wessels to score Test centuries for two countries.Ballance struck four tons for England before his century against the West Indies while South Africa-born Wessels hit four for Australia and two for his homeland. Motie bowled 24 overs and claimed four for 50 while Chase took two wickets while conceding only nine runs in 12 overs that included six maidens.The second and final Test starts on Sunday.Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Set 272 to win in a minimum of 49 overs, Zimbabwe staggered to 134 for six before stumps were drawn

Gudakesh Motie

Roston Chase

Zimbabwe survive Ballance blow to draw with West Indies

<a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/4617/gary-ballance/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gary Ballance</a> became only the second Test batsman after Kepler Wessels to score a century for two countries, <a href="https://www.cricket.com/live-score/219871/commentary/zim-vs-wi-1st-test-west-indies-tour-of-zimbabwe-2023" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hitting an unbeaten 137 for Zimbabwe against the West Indies in Bulawayo</a> on Tuesday.Needing at least 248 runs in reply to a West Indies&#39; declaration of 447-6 to avoid a possible follow-on, Zimbabwe declared at 379-9 after the second session on day four of the first Test.That left the hosts trailing by 68 runs after the first innings in their first Test since losing to Bangladesh two years ago. Batting again, the tourists were 21-0 at the close, giving them an overall lead of 89 runs going into the final day at the Queens Sports Club.Harare-born Ballance scored four centuries for England during the last decade before returning home to make his Test debut for Zimbabwe in this match at Queens Sports Club.South Africa-born Wessels scored four centuries for Australia before returning home and making two more for his homeland when they were readmitted to Test cricket in the 1990s.Ballance and leg spinner Brandon Mavuta, who made 56 before playing across the line to a short delivery and being bowled by Jason Holder, put on 135 in a brilliant eighth-wicket stand.Aware of his key role having come in at number five with Zimbabwe 114-3, Ballance was the epitome of caution, painstakingly building his innings. By the declaration, the 33-year-old had faced 231 balls and his total included two sixes, one of which took him to his century, and 12 fours.While Ballance was foiling West Indies&#39; plans to bowl out Zimbabwe cheaply and force them to immediately bat again, Mavuta played a superb back-up role. Having taken five West Indies wickets, he proved equally skillful with the bat and did not hold back when offered scoring chances as he slammed nine fours.The day began with Test debutant Innocent Kaia on 59, but he could add only eight more before being trapped leg before by fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for 67. Kaia fluffed an attempted flick and was hit high on the front pad. A review was not possible as the DRS (decision review system) is not being used in this series.Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

The left-hander became only the second batter to score a century for two countries

Kraigg Brathwaite

Brandon Mavuta

Innocent Kaia

Alzarri Joseph

Gary Ballance's century keeps West Indies at bay

Tagenarine Chanderpaul made an unbeaten double century after setting a new West Indies record of 336 for the first wicket with Kraigg Brathwaite on Monday before the tourists declared at 447-6 in the first Test against Zimbabwe.The opening stand at the Queens Sports Club in the southwestern city of Bulawayo surpassed the 298-run partnership shared by Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes against England in 1990.Zimbabwe were 114-3 in reply at stumps on the third day -- 333 runs behind -- with Innocent Kaia, one of five Test newcomers in the team, unbeaten on 59 having struck nine fours. The final delivery of the day saw one skipper dismiss another as Brathwaite clean bowled Craig Ervine for 13 with a deceptively quick ball.Brathwaite made 182 before being trapped leg before while Chanderpaul, the son of former West Indies skipper Shivnarine, finished on 207 not out after hitting a six to reach a double ton in only his third Test outing.It is the ninth highest opening Test partnership, a long way short of the overall record of 415 added by South Africa&#39;s Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2008. Both batsmen began day three with hundreds under their belts as West Indies resumed on 221 without loss after two rain-affected days.The scoring rate had been under two and half until that point but Brathwaite, 116 not out overnight, immediately set about the attack with the run rate early on standing at five per over. Brathwaite clattered his way to 182 before being trapped by spinner Wellington Masakadza.The captain misread the length and tried to sweep a full-length delivery on off stump, ending an innings which spanned 312 balls and included 18 fours. It was a welcome return to form for Brathwaite, who made only 19 and three against Australia in his last Test, two months ago in Adelaide.It was small reward for the Zimbabwe bowlers who had toiled 114 overs before making the breakthrough. They were rewarded with a second wicket before lunch when Kyle Mayers was bowled through the gate for 20 by leg-spinner Brandon Mavuta, who went on to take five wickets at a cost of 140 runs.But the wicket that eluded him and four other Zimbabwean bowlers was that of Chanderpaul who, picking up the tempo from a sluggish first two days, struck three sixes and 16 fours before West Indies declared soon after lunch.Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Brathwaite made 182 before being trapped leg before while Chanderpaul, the son of former West Indies skipper Shivnarine, finished on 207 not out

Chanderpaul hits unbeaten double ton as Windies dominate

<a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/63709/tagenarine-chanderpaul/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tagenarine Chanderpaul</a> struck his first Test century and fellow opener <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/7858/kraigg-brathwaite/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kraigg Brathwaite</a> also reached three figures as the West Indies reached 221 without loss on Sunday after a rain-affected second day of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.Captain Brathwaite recorded his 12th Test ton as he made 116 while Chanderpaul, son of West Indies great Shivnarine, closed on 101. It is the highest opening partnership by West Indians since Chris Gayle and Kieran Powell scored 254 against New Zealand in Antigua 11 years ago.Saturday&#39;s play had been abandoned because of rain soon after lunch with the tourists 112-0 and the inclement weather intervened again. Play was only able to start at 1500 local time (1300 GMT) on Sunday after sawdust had been scattered across the damp areas in the outfield.As was the case on the opening day, the West Indies openers took few chances, scoring at fewer than two and half runs per over against some tight Zimbabwe bowling on a sluggish pitch.Brathwaite, who has been in a rich run of form, looked the more comfortable and was the first to reach his century. By the close he had faced 246 balls and hit seven fours.Chanderpaul was more circumspect although there were moments when he played like his father who only retired from Test cricket eight years ago, having racked up 30 centuries in 164 Tests.While it took his father 19 Tests to reach his first century, Chanderpaul junior has needed just three. The 26-year-old left-hander only made his debut in Perth against Australia in November when he scored 51 and 45. He followed that with 47 and 17 in Adelaide and looked at home alongside Brathwaite in Bulawayo.He struck 10 fours and a six during the course of his innings, bringing up his century with a neat tuck behind square for a single. &quot;He (Chanderpaul) looks to be world-class and is a top opener,&quot; said Brathwaite at the close. &quot;Glad we have got some big partnerships thus far and would love to continue.&quot;Each of the Zimbabwe bowlers deserves credit for keeping a tight rein on the West Indies scoring, spinner Wellington Masakadza conceding just 30 runs from a tight 16 overs which included six maidens.The match, which is the first for the West Indies with Brian Lara acting as performance mentor, is the first of two in a Test series in Bulawayo. The second is scheduled to start on February 12.Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Captain Brathwaite recorded his 12th Test ton as he made 116 while Chanderpaul closed on 101*

Chanderpaul, Brathwaite reach triple figures on another rain-hit day

West Indies openers<a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/7858/kraigg-brathwaite/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Kraigg Brathwaite</a> and <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/63709/tagenarine-chanderpaul/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tagenarine Chanderpaul</a> scored half-centuries before rain ended play early in the first day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Saturday.Play will begin at 0930 local time (0730 GMT) on the next four days to compensate for the lost time, although there are concerns of further weather interruptions.The tourists were 112-0 off 51 overs in Bulawayo as they sought to extend an unbeaten Test record against the hosts having won seven of the previous 10 and drawn three.&quot;The pitch looked good for batting, but we knew rain would be a factor,&quot; said captain Brathwaite of his decision to bat having won the toss.&quot;Today is history, today is gone, we have to come back tomorrow and start setting the foundation again.&quot;Obviously, Zimbabwe are going to come back strong, so it is important that we start well tomorrow.&quot;Chanderpaul said: &quot;You have to be patient up front. The guys were bowling well so you have to dig in and score when you can.&quot;Brathwaite was first to reach 50, thanks to three runs from a drive past mid-off, and also scored two fours in an unbeaten 55 when rain intervened.Chanderpaul was also 55 not out at the Queens Sports Club having scored a second half-century in only a third Test appearance. His knock included eight fours.The first Test of two in southwestern Zimbabwe marked the debut of West Indies legend Brian Lara as national teams performance mentor.Lara, scorer of 11,953 runs in 131 Tests, is assisting interim coach Andre Coley as the West Indies seek a return to winning ways after a 2-0 Test series loss in Australia two months ago.Spinners Wellington Masakadza (0-13) and Brandon Mavuta (0-18) were the most successful Zimbabwe bowlers.Craig Ervine captained Zimbabwe as Sean Williams is injured while star all-rounder Sikandar Raza missed out due to franchise commitments in the United Arab Emirates.Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

West Indies raced to 112/0 before rain played spoilsport

Chanderpaul, Brathwaite strike half-centuries on rain-hit Day 1

&ldquo;Once upon a time, there was a team that had batters who could demolish any bowling attack and likewise, bowlers who could scare the s*** out of any batter. When their XI entered the field, there was fear in the opposition. But as time passed by, the aura diminished. Minnows mowed them as if they were push-overs&hellip;.&rdquo;Hold your horses&rsquo; folks! I am not telling you a bedtime story. Unfortunately, this is the reality of West Indies cricket.Growing up as an 89-born, when I started watching cricket, Australian domination was at its summit. Like everyone, you believe what you see and thought no one could match those guys. But, when my dad told me about the West Indies team of the &rsquo;70s and &rsquo;80s, phew! That was not domination, that was instilling fear in opponents. There is no doubt that this was the golden era of West Indies cricket.Looking at them now, it is beyond imagination and that has been the story of their downfall in cricket.On the other hand, Zimbabwe are playing a Test for the first time since July 2021. All eyes will be on <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/4617/gary-ballance/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gary Ballance</a>, who is making a return to the Test arena, but in a Zimbabwe jersey. Dave Houghton has been one of the most successful coaches for Zimbabwe, in recent times. However, all his success has been in the white-ball format of the game. How will his team fare in the red-ball format? The answer to that question lies in the upcoming series.Things to watch out for-In Tests, Zimbabwe have played 10 matches against the West Indies and haven&rsquo;t won a single one of them. They have lost seven matches and the remaining three have ended in a draw. However, their highest total of 563/9d, came against West Indies in 2001.-In Tests since 2020, West Indies&#39; top seven batters have averaged 27.4, the worst among all teams. Even Zimbabwe have a better average (30) than them in this time frame. None of the West Indies top seven batters average 40+ after batting five-plus innings in this period.-Ballance will be playing his first Test since July 2017. In his Test career, he averages 60+ against three teams and West Indies is one of them. In six innings, Ballance has scored 331 runs at an average of 66.2. He has one century and two half-centuries against them.<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1675443548248-articleimg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">-<a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/57792/kyle-mayers/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kyle Mayers</a> has a unique record in home and away Tests. At home, he is a fantabulous bowler. He has a wicket every 15 runs and 39.4 balls. However, in away Tests, he has a lone wicket at an average of 103 and strike rate of 216. But, while batting he has a better average in away matches (44.4) as compared to 31.5 at home. He has played five-plus matches in both conditions.Pitch and conditionsIn Tests since 2011, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, has witnessed six matches and it has been in favor of the batsmen. Batting teams have averaged 36.04, and in both first and in every innings of the match, 200+ runs have been scored on an average.Adding further, bowlers have bagged a wicket every 76.4 balls in the aforementioned time. At venues where 150+ wickets have been taken by the bowlers, this venue has been the worst among all for bowlers.In any case, the spinners have a slight edge over the pacers when it comes to wickets and overs bowled percentage. The pacers have bagged 48.9 percent of the wickets in 48.3 percent of overs as compared to 51.1 percent by spinners in 51.7 percent of overs.Tactical nous-In Tests since 2021, <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/7858/kraigg-brathwaite/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kraig Brathwaite</a> averages 82 with four dismissals in 20 innings against left-arm orthodox spinners. Whereas, against off-spinners, he averages 26 with eight dismissals in 18 innings. In the current Zimbabwe squad, there aren&rsquo;t any offies to trouble him. Their lead spinners are all left-arm orthodox bowlers.<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1675443703571-articleimg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">-In Tests since 2021, <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/11149/nkrumah-bonner/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nkrumah Bonner</a> averages 16.9 against pacers (7 dismissals) when bowled on good length. However, when bowled full, he averages 92, and averages 66.5 and 40 when bowled on back of a length and short.Team combinationThe hosts are hit with a big miss in the form of Sikandar Raza, their in-form player. Brad Evans, who has found success in the white-ball format might make his debut. Ballance, will also feature in the XI, making his debut for Zimbabwe.Zimbabwe probable XI: Innocent Kaia, Chamu Chibhabha, Milton Shumba, Gary Ballance, Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Donald TiripanoTagenarine Chanderpaul in the series against Australia, proved his grit to stay in the XI. Nkrumah Bonner who was concussed for the second time in his career, is also likely to make a comeback at number three. The toss-up could be between Shannon Gabriel, and Jomel Warrican.West Indies probable XI: Kraig Brathwaite (c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel/Jomel Warrican&nbsp;Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Brian Lara, was appointed as the performance mentor of the West Indian team in January 2023

Brian Lara

Nkrumah Bonner

All eyes on West Indies as they usher in a new era

For the first time in over five years, Zimbabwe and West Indies face off in a Test series. The last time the two teams played was in October 2017 &ndash; a two-match series that saw the men from the Caribbean take the series 1-0. Incidentally, both those matches were played at the Queen&rsquo;s Sports Club in Bulawayo, which is once again the venue for this Test series.Ground detailsOverall, the Queen&rsquo;s Park Oval has seen quite an even contest between pace and spin. The pacers have accounted for over 57% of the wickets and have done so at an average of 33.6 and strike-rate of 65.8.The spinners, on the other hand, may have picked up close to 43% of the wickets, but their runs per wicket (37.5) and balls per wicket (76.2) are comparatively inferior than that of the pacers.The average first innings score at this venue is 310, but the average target chased here is just 104. Win the toss and bat first seems to be the way to go here.Suggested team<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1675441792405-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">While you could go for the above team, you can also choose your team from Cricket.com&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.cricket.com/fantasy-research-center/219871/zim-vs-wi-1st-test-west-indies-tour-of-zimbabwe-2023" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fantasy Research Centre</a>. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.Captaincy suggestionsFor small leagues: <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/7858/kraigg-brathwaite/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kraigg Brathwaite</a> (c), <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/21561/donald-tiripano/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Donald Tiripano</a> (vc)For grand leagues: <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/10232/jason-holder/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jason Holder</a> (c), <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/4617/gary-ballance/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gary Ballance</a> (vc)Stats that matterZimbabwe have never beaten West Indies in a Test. The two teams have clashed on 10 occasions, with the Windies winning seven of them.&nbsp;Kraigg Brathwaite was in terrific form in Tests last year having scored 687 runs at 62.45 that included five fifties and a couple of tons in his seven Tests. Among openers who scored over 300 runs last year, only Ben Duckett (71.40) averaged more than Brathwaite.Donald Tiripano could be a handy option in your team given his prowess with both bat and ball. He has picked up 13 wickets in Tests since 2020 and is a valuable batter down the order having notched up 281 runs at 23.41, which includes a couple of fifties to his name.Grand League puntsJason Holder did not have a memorable 2022, with both bat and ball. He scored just 135 runs at under 17 and the former skipper failed miserably with the ball as well, managing just five wickets at 91.80. This series gives the senior all-rounder a chance to redeem himself.&nbsp;There&rsquo;s somewhat an uncertainty factor when it comes to Gary Balance, who recently played in both white-ball formats for Zimbabwe against Ireland. He is now set to add to his 23 Test caps, having last played first-class cricket in September 2021. In that season of the County Championship, Balance had notched up 594 runs at 45.69, that included four fifties and a ton. It could be a risky option to pick Balance, but there could be a massive reward in store if he clicks.Here are the Top 10 Criclytics Projections<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1675441881657-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Probable XIs:Zimbabwe: Innocent Kaia, Kudzai Maunze, Gary Ballance, Craig Ervine (c), Chamu Chibhabha, Joylord Gumbie (wk), Brad Evans, Donald Tiripano, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi.West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Jomel Warrican.Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Here are a few tips that could help you create your fantasy XI for the first Test between Zimbabwe and West Indies

Donald Tiripano

Jason Holder

Fantasy: Bank on in-form Kraigg Brathwaite to deliver again

<a href="https://www.cricket.com/teams/10/zimbabwe/form" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zimbabwe</a> have named <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/4617/gary-ballance/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gary Ballance</a> in their squad for the two-match Test series against <a href="https://www.cricket.com/teams/9/west-indies/form" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">West Indies</a>, starting on Saturday (February 4) at the Queens Sports Club.&nbsp;The left-handed batter recently featured in the T20I and ODI series against Ireland last month but hasn&rsquo;t played Test cricket since July 2017.<a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/11690/craig-ervine/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Craig Ervine</a> will lead the side in the absence of regular skipper Sean Williams, who has been sidelined with a fractured finger.&nbsp;Zimbabwe will also be without their two premier spin-bowling allrounders Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl who are currently fulfilling their franchise commitments. Meanwhile, seamers Tendai Chatara and Blessing Muzarabani are yet to recover from their injuries.Tafadzwa Tsiga, Joylord Gumbie, Kudzai Maunze and Tanunurwa Makoni are the uncapped players in the squad, while Innocent Kaia, Bradley Evans and Tanaka Chivanga have already played white-ball cricket for Zimbabwe but are yet to feature in the red-ball format.Ballance played 23 Tests for England, scoring 1498 runs at an average of 37.45, studded with four centuries and seven fifties.&nbsp;Squad: Gary Ballance, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Tanaka Chivanga, Craig Ervine (c), Bradley Evans, Joylord Gumbie, Innocent Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Wellington Masakadza, Kudzai Maunze, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Milton Shumba, Donald Tiripano, Tafadzwa Tsiga.&nbsp;Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Craig Ervine will lead the side in the absence of Sean Williams, who has been sidelined with a fractured finger

Craig Ervine

Ballance named in depleted Zimbabwe squad for West Indies Tests

One of the greatest batters in the history of the modern era, <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/1788/brian-lara/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brian Lara</a>, has agreed to assist West Indies cricket as a &#39;performance mentor&#39;, the board announced on Thursday, January 26.&nbsp;West Indies cricket has been on a decline across formats since their heroics in the 2016 T20 World Cup, and the appointment of the former skipper comes as a welcome move from the board ahead of the ODI World Cup in India and the T20 World Cup at home next year.&nbsp;The 53-year-old will support the Head Coaches across age groups and share his vast knowledge and experience of playing international cricket whilst assisting the Director of Cricket in planning strategies for ICC tournaments.&nbsp;In a press release, CWI Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams said, &quot;I am really looking forward to Brian making a significant contribution to our cricket system by providing invaluable guidance and advice to our players and coaches.&quot;&quot;We are confident that Brian will help to improve our high-performance mindset and strategic culture that will bring us more success on the field across all formats. Everyone is excited to have Brian involved in supporting our players,&rdquo; he further added.&nbsp;Lara was delighted to be involved in the growth and development of West Indies cricket and said, &quot;Having spent time with the players and coaches in Australia and in discussions with CWI, I really believe that I can help the players with their mental approach to the game and with their tactics to be more successful.&quot;&quot;I&#39;m looking forward to joining the group in Zimbabwe and the opportunity to work with other West Indies teams later in the year,&quot; he concluded.&nbsp;The southpaw&#39;s first assignment would be with the West Indies Test squad as they prepare for the first Test match against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on February 4.&nbsp;Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

The former skipper will assist the Head Coaches of different teams and provide strategic help to Windies cricket on ICC tournament planning

Brian Lara to join West Indies cricket as performance mentor

ZIM vs WI Test 1st Test, West Indies tour of Zimbabwe, 2023 - Commentary

ZIM VS WI,1st Test

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