The West Indies will begin 2023 by travelling to Zimbabwe for a bilateral series comprising two Tests. The tour will commence on February 4, and both games are slated to take place at Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club.
The Windies are already eliminated from the WTC championship race, and as a result, the upcoming match is of little significance to them. With a PCT of 40.91%, the Caribbean team is currently in sixth place on the points standings, and with the top four teams in contention, the Windies do not even stand a chance this time around. Most recently, the West Indies were also delivered a 0-2 hammering by the Aussies down under.
The West Indies will begin their campaign with a four-day warm-up game against a local side at the Bulawayo Athletic Club from January 28 to 31. The first Test is scheduled for February 4-8, followed by the second on February 12-16.
The West Indies have only visited Zimbabwe three times, winning all three series without losing a Test. All of them have been two-Test series that the Windies have won 1-0, with the most recent being played in October of 2017.
“The tour to Zimbabwe early in 2023 will be an important part of our 2023 Test programme, which also includes series against South Africa and India. Having produced some good results early in 2022, the team will be eager to begin the year with strong performances in Zimbabwe.”
Jimmy Adams, CWI’s director of cricket, said in an official statement.
Zimbabwe will play a Test for the first time in one and a half years, having last done so in July 2021 at home against Bangladesh in a one-off Test that the visitors won.
“Although it’s been a while since we last played Test cricket, our boys will be hungry and ready for some red-ball action and I believe an exciting series against one of the game’s top sides is on the cards,”
Zimbabwe director of cricket Hamilton Mazakadza stated.
