With the New Zealand tour of Zimbabwe kicking off on July 30, 2025, at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, Test cricket is staging a welcome return to one of its foundational rivalries. Despite the limited number of fixtures, the history between the Black Caps and the Chevrons reveals a consistent dynamic: New Zealand dominance in Test matches, Zimbabwe’s home pressure, and a chance for Zimbabwe to restart its long-lost momentum in red-ball cricket.
The Series & Early Action
- The two-Test series runs from July 30 to August 11, 2025, both played at Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club. New Zealand leads the head-to-head record 11 wins to 0, with 6 draws. Zimbabwe has never beaten NZ in Tests.
- On Day 1 of the 1st Test, Zimbabwe won the toss and batted, reaching 42/3 by lunch as New Zealand’s strong seam attack—including Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, and Will O’Rourke—bowled with control. New captain Mitchell Santner led the side in place of injured Tom Latham.
Historical Head-to-Head
| Total Tests | NZ Wins | ZIM Wins | Draws | Win % (NZ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 11 | 0 | 6 | ~64.7% |
Zimbabwe have never beaten New Zealand in Test cricket over 17 attempts spanning from 1992 to 2016. The last full Test series was in 2016, where NZ won both Tests emphatically at Bulawayo.
- 2016 Series: New Zealand won by innings & 117 runs and 254 runs, with Ross Taylor scoring 364 runs, and Neil Wagner claiming 11 wickets. Zimbabwe had little answer.
- 2012 Single Test: NZ won by an innings & 301 runs, which stands as Zimbabwe’s heaviest ever Test defeat.
Why the Disparity?
Several factors underpin New Zealand’s dominance:
- Bowling Attack Quality: NZ’s seamers historically outclass Zimbabwe’s batting. In 2016, Wagner and Henry dismantled the home side. In 2025, they field a balanced attack including Matt Henry and debutant Matt Fisher.
- Depth & Experience: NZ boasts players like Santner, Conway, and Rachin Ravindra; Zimbabwe relies on emerging players including Ervine, Raza, Williams, and Curran.
- Home Conditions & Mental Edge: Zimbabwe has not won at Bulawayo since 2001, and the psychological burden of past defeats looms large.
2025 Series: What to Watch
- New Faces: NZ bring in Matt Fisher on debut and Nathan Smith for seam support. Clarke Santner captains. Zimbabwe may include returning veteran Brendan Taylor after his ban lifted on July 25.
- Venue Stats: At Queens Sports Club, average 1st innings scores hover around 324, with higher 2nd innings totals around 384. The ground favors pacers early but softens later, allowing spin and batting revival. Higher totals have reached over 700.
This is Zimbabwe’s first red-ball action since losing all four Tests at home earlier in 2025—two against South Africa and two in the tri-series involving South Africa and New Zealand.
Bigger Picture: What It Means for Zimbabwe
- A win in this series—even a single Test—is overdue: Zimbabwe has a paltry overall Test win percentage of ~11.5%, with only 14 wins in 122 Tests.
- Hosting New Zealand and South Africa marks their strongest home season yet—a step toward reviving their Test reputation.
Final Thoughts
New Zealand’s historic dominance over Zimbabwe in Test cricket is rarely under threat—11 wins in 17 matches with no defeats is evidence enough. Yet, this 2025 series offers Zimbabwe a chance at redemption, boosted by a packed home schedule and the return of experienced players.
For New Zealand, it’s about giving opportunities to rising stars while maintaining discipline and consistency. For Zimbabwe, every run, wicket, and over is a chance to finally break the hoodoo at home.
This series may not make headlines globally—but it matters deeply for both sides: one aiming to maintain its dominance, the other fighting to write its first Test victory over a rival
Baishali Karmakar 
Tanya Singh