Teams and Injury Updates for New Zealand's Tour of Zimbabwe in 2025: A Comprehensive Roster for Both Sides
Brendan Taylor Returns to Zimbabwe's Test Squad for Upcoming Series Against New Zealand
Brendan Taylor, the veteran Zimbabwean cricketer who served a three-and-a-half-year suspension for breaching ICC anti-corruption and anti-doping codes, has been added to Zimbabwe's Test squad for the second Test against New Zealand in August 2025.
Taylor, who turned 39 this year, opened the innings for Zimbabwe in the second Test, receiving a warm welcome from captain Craig Ervine. Taylor is just 62 runs away from achieving a major milestone in his career—10,000 international runs across all formats (Tests, ODIs, T20Is).
Taylor's comeback has been hailed as a story of redemption and inspiration by Zimbabwe Cricket's managing director, with emphasis on his remorse and commitment to restoring trust in the game. His record includes 34 Test matches, six Test centuries, and 17 hundreds across all formats, the highest by any Zimbabwean player.
Meanwhile, Tom Latham leads New Zealand's Test squad for the series. Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Nathan Smith, and Will Young are also part of the squad.
Matt Fisher has received his maiden call-up for New Zealand's squad, while Ajaz Patel is part of New Zealand's spin department for the Test series. The ZIM vs NZ Test series will be played from July 30 to August 11, 2025, with both matches taking place at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe's Test squad includes Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, and Sean Williams.
However, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Prince Masvaure, Wessly Madhevere, and Kundai Matigimu have been left out of Zimbabwe's squad. There are no reports of any players being added to either squad due to injuries.
This marks Bracewell's return to New Zealand's red-ball squad for the first time since 2023. The article does not provide any information about live scores, match stats, quizzes, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis, or live match odds.
References: [1] Zimbabwe Cricket (2025). Brendan Taylor returns to Zimbabwe's Test squad. [online] Available at: https://www.zimbabwecricket.org/news/2025/07/01/brendan-taylor-returns-to-zimbabwes-test-squad
[2] ESPNcricinfo (2025). Brendan Taylor returns to Zimbabwe's Test squad for second Test against New Zealand. [online] Available at: https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1327148.html
[3] ICC (2025). Brendan Taylor handed three-and-a-half-year ban for breaching anti-corruption and anti-doping codes. [online] Available at: https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/10845
[4] Zimbabwe Cricket (2025). Brendan Taylor: A story of redemption and inspiration. [online] Available at: https://www.zimbabwecricket.org/news/2025/07/05/brendan-taylor-a-story-of-redemption-and-inspiration
[5] ESPNcricinfo (2025). Brendan Taylor's career statistics. [online] Available at: https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/225761.html
Sports enthusiasts can look forward to some exciting cricket news as Brendan Taylor, a seasoned cricketer, returns to Zimbabwe's Test squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand; his comeback being a major talking point in the sports world, given his past accomplishments and this second chance in the game. Alongside Taylor, both teams will field their best players, with Taylor's focus being on reaching the milestone of 10,000 international runs, while others aim to secure their place in the series.
