Zimbabwe is giving spectators free entry to the country’s first Boxing Day Test in 28 years

On By Littum

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced free entry for spectators to the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo for the upcoming two-match Test series against Afghanistan starting with the Boxing Day match on Thursday. In a statement, ZC said the decision comes in the wake of its efforts to celebrate the country’s first Boxing Day Test at home in 28 years. It will be followed by Zimbabwe’s opening New Year’s Test, scheduled for 2-6. January 2025.

“This is an extraordinary milestone for Zimbabwe Cricket and our fans. By offering free entry, we want to share this historic event with as many cricket lovers as possible, create an electric atmosphere to inspire our players and celebrate the spirit of the game,” said Givemore Makoni , ZC’s CEO.

The last time Zimbabwe played a Boxing Day Test at home was in 1996, which ended in a rain-affected match against England at the Harare Sports Club. Since then, Zimbabwe have only played Boxing Day Tests overseas against New Zealand in 2000 and South Africa in 2017, the latter being a pink-ball day-night match in Port Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe have called up right-arm fast bowler Victor Nyauchi to replace Takudzwa Chataira, who suffered a right-side strain during team training earlier this week.

Chataira was among the seven uncapped players initially selected for the series. His replacement Nyauchi, an experienced bowler with nine Test matches under his belt and 20 wickets to his name, brings further depth to the hosts’ bowling attack.

Thursday’s match, despite a threat of rain on all five days, will be Zimbabwe’s second Test of 2024 after playing in a one-off Test against Ireland in Belfast in July, which they lost by four wickets. Zimbabwe lost the T20I series to Afghanistan 2-1, followed by losing the ODI series to the visitors 2-0.

Zimbabwe Test Squad: Craig Ervine (captain), Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Nyasha Mayavo, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri,, Victor Nyauza, , Sean Williams