Zimbabwe vs Windies, 1st Test - Live Cricket Score

The last time Zimbabwe had reason to be this excited for a Test match, it was August 2011 and they had not played one for six years. The anticipation for that game came from the feeling that a certain pariah status was finally being shaken off, and Zimbabwe were rejoining the cricket world. This time around it is fuelled by optimism that something is building for the future.

While the return of Brendan Taylor and Kyle Jarvis has received the most attention, there has also been a notable upturn in performances since Heath Streak was brought in as coach one year ago. The players have responded to a more supportive and positive environment that has been established in that period, with selection convenor Tatenda Taibu and the Zimbabwe Cricket administration also playing their part.

The onus will now fall very much on Zimbabwe's players to continue the upward trend that began in Sri Lanka midway through the year. The results on that tour were cultivated over a longer trip that started with ODIs against Scotland and the Netherlands and culminated with that epic Test against Sri Lanka. This time around Zimbabwe have not had as much game time in the lead-up - in part because Pakistan cancelled their A tour that was scheduled to provide Zimbabwe with a warm-up.

Regardless of that, this will be the strongest side that Zimbabwe have put on the park in several years - hence the excitement. Suddenly there is a queue of batsmen, and the only questions are around the depth of the pace attack and the quality of wicketkeeper-batsmen available.

West Indies know what Zimbabwe were capable of even before Taylor, Jarvis and Solomon Mire returned, having lost to the hosts in a tri-series here last year. But they look to be building something themselves. Like Zimbabwe it is still early days and there is a long way to go, but their victory over England at Headingley showed what they are capable of. There is also a greater stability now which should allow the improvement to continue.

For both sides then, this series will be an important yardstick to see exactly where they are at. The strength of the West Indies attack should allow them to start as favourites. They made light work of Zimbabwe A in a warm-up over the weekend, and the pace of Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel will prove a handful for batsmen that don't often face their speeds.

When: October 21 - 25, 10:00 local time; 13:30 IST

Where: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

What to expect: With temperatures in the mid-30s, Bulawayo is hot, muggy and hazy. Yet the summer rains are probably a couple of weeks away, so the stifling heat will continue during the Test. There may be a small sprinkle on the first afternoon, but otherwise the forecast looks good.

The Queens pitch is normally fairly dry, and both captains expect that to be the case this time around as well - in fact, the West Indies expect their seamers to gain some reverse swing. Spin will definitely play a role in the game as well.

Team News:

Zimbabwe

With Taylor and Jarvis back, and Solomon Mire added to the Test frame, Zimbabwe have a welcome selection headache when it comes to their batting. Nos 3 to 6 pick themselves, and Regis Chakabva needs to slot in somewhere to keep wicket, which leaves just one place for Mire, Malcolm Waller or Peter Moor. Mire looks likely to crack the nod in the opening position. Both captains expect the pitch to be dry and take turn, so Tendai Chisoro could support Graeme Cremer in the spin department.

Likely XI: Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva (wk), Graeme Cremer (capt), Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chisoro, Chris Mpofu.

West Indies

The victory over England at Headingley has allowed the West Indies to enjoy an increasingly established lineup, which should be allowed to continue in this series even if the conditions will be rather different.

Likely XI: Kraigg Brathwaite, Kieran Powell, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder (capt), Devendra Bishoo, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel.

Did you know?

- The West Indies have not played a Test in Zimbabwe since 2003. Heath Streak captained Zimbabwe in that game, while Brian Lara led West Indies. Chris Gayle and Vusi Sibanda are the only active players remaining from the two lineups.

- Zimbabwe have never won a Test against West Indies, having lost six and drawn two.

- Craig Ervine has two hundreds and three fifties in his last five Tests.

What they said:

"I feel that we've probably got an even better team than we had in Sri Lanka. We'll take that confidence from Sri Lanka, but we know we can perform even better than that." - Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer.

"If you look at the squad Zimbabwe have picked, they've got six players who can bowl spin. The wicket here is traditionally very good for batting and spins more and more as the game goes on. Having said that, we've also got two or three guys who can crank it up to over 90mph and at that pace it doesn't really matter where you're playing, it's hard to bat against." - West Indies coach Stuart Law.Teams:Zimbabwe (From): Hamilton Masakadza, Regis Chakabva(w), Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor, Malcolm Waller, Graeme Cremer(c), Chris Mpofu, Nyasha Mayavo, Tendai Chisoro, Solomon Mire, Kyle Jarvis, Michael Chinouya, Chamu ChibhabhaWindies (From): Kraigg Brathwaite, Kieran Powell, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich(w), Jason Holder(c), Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Miguel Cummins, Devendra Bishoo, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Raymon Reifer

West Indies Vs Zimbabwe 2nd Test Today Match Prediction

West Indies Vs Zimbabwe 2nd Test Today Match Prediction 29 October Sunday 2017. Who Will Win WI Vs ZIM Second Test match? Get cricket score ball by ball.

This is the 2nd test which will be played in Zimbabwe after 6 years.For both the teams, this is really important to see where they are on the international level.West Indies have won a test in the previous series they have played against England.West Indies team looks really strong to win this series.

In the 1st test match, west indies win by 117 runs and lead the 2-match series 1-0. Zimbabwean batsmen never looked comfortable in front of formidable and in form bowling line up of west indies and were bowled out for 316 runs. For his brilliant bowling in both innings, MAN OF THE MATCH goes to Devendra Bishoo.

You can get today match prediction from this great platform free and this match of Zimbabwe Vs West Indies 2nd Test is on Oct 29, 2017. Today Zimbabwe Vs West Indies 2nd Test will be playing in Bulawayo. These teams have extraordinary players and both teams are looking well balanced. Here we are providing cricket match tip, cricket prediction, cricket predictions, accurate cricket tips today of Zimbabwe Vs West Indies 2nd Test. Get today Cricbooth, today toss prediction and free today match prediction of Zimbabwe Vs West Indies 2nd Test and live score ball by ball.

Match Info
Zim vs WI 2nd test match, 2017
Date – Sunday, October 29, 2017
Time – 13:00:00 GMT +5:30(12:30 PM PST)
Venue – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

West Indies Predicted Playing 11
  Jason Holder (c), Kraigg Brathwaite, Kieran Powell, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich (wk), Devendra Bishoo, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel

Zimbabwe Predicted Playing 11
Graeme Cremer (c), Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller, Regis Chakabva (wk), Kyle Jarvis, Chris Mpofu