Ireland Opt to Bowl First in ODI Series Opener Against Zimbabwe; Johnathan Campbell Makes His Debut

Harare, February 2025 – The highly anticipated ODI series between Ireland and Zimbabwe kicked off in Harare, with Ireland opting to bowl first after winning the toss. Captain Paul Stirling made the decision to chase, considering both past records at the venue and the possibility of rain later in the day. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are determined to break their four-match losing streak and bounce back with a strong performance on home soil.

Toss Decision and Pitch Conditions

Ireland Chooses to Chase – Stirling's decision to bowl first was influenced by recent chasing trends at Harare Sports Club, where five of the last seven completed ODIs have been won by the team batting second. Additionally, with rain expected later in the day, Ireland might have the advantage of a revised target under DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method).

Zimbabwe’s Captain Craig Ervine Agrees – Ervine admitted that he too would have chosen to bowl first, acknowledging the early movement in the pitch. However, he remained confident in his side’s ability to navigate the new ball cautiously and set a competitive total.

Key Players & Debut for Johnathan Campbell

Sikandar Raza Returns After ILT20 Triumph
Zimbabwe welcomes back Sikandar Raza, who is returning from a successful stint in the UAE’s ILT20 league, where he played a crucial role in helping Dubai Capitals secure the title. His experience and all-round ability will be vital for Zimbabwe in this series.

Johnathan Campbell Makes His ODI Debut
Zimbabwe’s squad features a special debutant in Johnathan Campbell, the son of former Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell. His inclusion makes him part of a rare father-son duo to represent Zimbabwe in international cricket. Expectations will be high as he aims to make an impact on his debut.

Joshua Little Boosts Ireland’s Bowling Attack
For Ireland, left-arm swing bowler Joshua Little returns to the playing XI, adding strength to their pace attack. With his ability to generate movement in helpful conditions, he could be a key figure in Ireland’s bowling strategy.

Head-to-Head & Recent Encounters

Ireland and Zimbabwe have had several competitive encounters in ODI cricket, with Ireland winning the last two matches at this venue in December 2023. In that series, both games were won while chasing, giving Ireland added confidence heading into this match.

Stirling acknowledged the team’s positive mindset, stating:
"It’s a morning start, so we’ll have to adapt quickly. But we’ve put the Test win behind us and are focused on this series. Zimbabwe are never a dull side."

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s captain Craig Ervine expressed optimism about his team’s performance:
"Looking at the pitch, I don’t think there are any demons in it. We’ll just have to be cautious in the first ten overs and then build our innings."

Playing XIs for the First ODI

Ireland XI

1️⃣ Paul Stirling (c)
2️⃣ Andrew Balbirnie
3️⃣ Harry Tector
4️⃣ Lorcan Tucker (wk)
5️⃣ Curtis Campher
6️⃣ George Dockrell
7️⃣ Andy McBrine
8️⃣ Mark Adair
9️⃣ Graham Hume
Matthew Humphreys
1️⃣1️⃣ Joshua Little

Zimbabwe XI

1️⃣ Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk)
2️⃣ Ben Curran
3️⃣ Craig Ervine (c)
4️⃣ Sikandar Raza
5️⃣ Brian Bennett
6️⃣ Wessly Madhevere
7️⃣ Johnathan Campbell
8️⃣ Wellington Masakadza
9️⃣ Newman Nyamhuri
Richard Ngarava
1️⃣1️⃣ Blessing Muzarabani

Match Expectations

With overcast conditions and the possibility of rain, fast bowlers may get early assistance, making the first ten overs crucial for both teams. Zimbabwe will look to set a competitive total, while Ireland will aim to restrict them before chasing under possibly revised conditions.

As both teams aim for victory in the series opener, all eyes will be on the debutant Johnathan Campbell, the returning Sikandar Raza, and Ireland’s pace duo of Little and Adair.