BULAWAYO'S Queens Sports Club is the setting for a potentially intriguing two-match Test series between Zimbabwe and New Zealand, kicking off this morning.
Nine years after their last red-ball encounter at the same venue, both teams will be keen to make an impression, but the silence from Zimbabwe Cricket regarding Brendon Taylor's highly-anticipated return continues to raise eyebrows.
The legendary Zimbabwean batter, whose ICC ban concluded on Friday last week, has been training with the national squad in Bulawayo and is widely expected to feature in the series, with reports suggesting he will be available for the second Test.
However, ZC has remained conspicuously mum, offering no official communication about Taylor's inclusion or even his presence in the team's preparations.
Zimbabwe Test captain Craig Ervine, however, dropped a strong hint regarding Taylor's impending return.
“He [Brendon Taylor] will be available for the second Test. But I also know how hard he has worked in his capacity, I think, especially over the last 8, 10, 12 months for this to happen. So, I am excited to have him come back into this space in the next few days. And looking forward to seeing what he has to contribute to the team and the group,” he said.
Ervine also expressed the team's excitement for the Test series against New Zealand, emphasising the importance of playing against top-tier opposition in the longest format of the game.
"It's hugely important, I think, for us to have the opportunity to play against New Zealand again in Test cricket," he remarked. "Everybody's excited... to play against them in two Tests that are coming up."
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For New Zealand, white-ball captain Mitch Santner will lead the side in the absence of Tom Latham.
Santner acknowledged the challenge Zimbabwe poses, especially at home.
"I think we still have a pretty strong squad going into this one. We know they [Zimbabwe] are a good side, especially at home. We watched the last couple of Tests they played against South Africa," Santner said. Notably, Santner himself inadvertently confirmed Taylor's expected return.
"Again, it's a new-looking team. Ben Curran's back. Brendan Taylor as well. They have got some good additions, and Raza is playing as well. They have a good team. We know they are going to be a challenge, especially at home."
All eyes will be on Queens Sports Club as Zimbabwe, with the unspoken anticipation of Taylor's comeback, takes on a formidable New Zealand side.
The first Test runs from July 30 to August 3, with the second Test scheduled for August 7 to 11, both at the same venue.
