Follow UsFor 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 – 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’s Sports Club in Bulawayo, which is once again the venue for this Test series.
Ground details
Overall, the Queen’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
While you could go for the above team, you can also choose your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. 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 suggestions
For small leagues: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Donald Tiripano (vc)
For grand leagues: Jason Holder (c), Gary Ballance (vc)
Stats that matter
Zimbabwe have never beaten West Indies in a Test. The two teams have clashed on 10 occasions, with the Windies winning seven of them.
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 punts
Jason 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.
There’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
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.