When was Zimbabwe’s last Test match in England?

Zimbabwe are playing England in a one-off four-day Test match at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Ben Stokes and his side are set to use this Test match as a tune-up for the five-match Test series against India starting on 20th June. England also tour Australia later this year for the 2025/26 Ashes series. 

England and Zimbabwe last played Test cricket 22 years ago with Naseer Hussain and Heath Streak leading their respective sides. This series in 2003 was the first time that James Anderson played Test cricket for England at the Lord's cricket ground. 

For the next two decades the two sides didn’t cross paths much in international cricket. Zimbabwe, who have played 123 Test matches so far, last played Test cricket last month, where they toured Bangladesh for a two-match series. The series ended 1-1 as Zimbabwe won the first game before losing the second Test match. 

What happened the last time Zimbabwe played England in Test cricket?

The first Test match played at Lord's incidentally began on 22nd May 2003 and saw England bat first and score 472. Mark Butcher scored 137 while Anthony McGrath, Marcus Trescothick, and Ashley Giles scored fifties. Zimbabwe were all out for 147 as James Anderson picked hisiden five-for in his debut innings. Zimbabwe were all out for 233 in their follow-on and lost by an innings and 92 runs. 

The second Test match, which was played in Durham, saw the English side post yet another win by an innings and 69 runs. This was the final time both sides had played each other in the whites. The first-ever Test match between England and Zimbabwe was played in 1996. Michael Atherton’s side had toured Zimbabwe for a two-match Test series and both games ended in a draw. 

This was the only time England had toured Zimbabwe for a Test series. The next two series were played in England, with the hosts winning on both occasions. Cricket fans in Zimbabwe will finally get a chance to see their team take on some of the biggest names in Test cricket when the side plays England in Nottingham.

England vs Zimbabwe Test match head-to-head

Matches played – 6

Wins for England -3

Drawn games – 3