Johnathan Campbell joins exclusive club as captain on Test debut
06 Feb 2025

Zimbabwean cricket legend Alistair Campbell's son, Johnathan Campbell, made his Test debut as captain in a one-off Test match against Ireland in Bulawayo on Thursday.

The surprise change occurred when regular captain Craig Ervine withdrew last minute due to a family emergency.

"Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine has withdrawn from the one-off Test against Ireland due to a family emergency," Zimbabwe Cricket said on social media.

Campbell's leadership skills and form
Performance

Zimbabwe Cricket is confident in Campbell's leadership, highlighting his proven track record at the domestic level.

His impressive form also played a role in his appointment as captain.

Campbell has showcased his cricketing ability in 34 First-Class matches, amassing 1,913 runs (AVG: 32.32), including four centuries, and taking 42 wickets (AVG: 39.02) as a leg-spinner.

Campbell joins elite group of debutant captains
Historic moment

Campbell's appointment as captain on his Test debut puts him in an elite club of cricketers.

He is only the second Zimbabwean to do so after Dave Houghton, who captained the side in their first-ever Test against India in 1992.

Additionally, Campbell becomes only the third player in the last fifty years to captain a side on his Test debut, excluding those leading their country's first-ever Test team.

Campbell's journey in international cricket
Career progression

Campbell began his international career with a T20I debut against Bangladesh in May 2024, scoring an impressive 45 off 24 balls.

Since then, he has accumulated 123 runs in nine T20Is.

His List A record is equally strong, with 1,372 runs from 45 matches at an average close to 40.

These numbers highlight his potential as a great addition to the Zimbabwean team.

Muzarabani rout's Ireland's top-order
Match staus

In the one-off Test, Ireland won the toss and chose to bat.

In response, the hosts bulldozed through Ireland's top order, picking up six wickets in the first session.

For Zimbabwe, pacer Blessing Muzarabani was the hero, managing figures worth 4/24 (seven overs).

Meanwhile, for the visitors, their keeper Lorcan Tucker stabilized the innings with a crucial quickfire 33-run knock.

At lunch, Ireland are 111/6 after 22 overs, while Andy McBrine (25*) and Mark Adair (14*) occupy the crease.