Zimbabwe’s tour of New Zealand begins with a one-off Test match to be played at Napier from January 26.
Zimbabwe (12/1 at
bet365), who will also play three ODIs and a couple of T20Is will know that they will be up against a huge challenge. This will be their first Test match outside Zimbabwe since the tourists’ comeback to Test match cricket.
And it is expected to be a green Napier pitch, in line with the New Zealand strengths. Only recently on their tour of Australia, their seam bowlers had made a hash of the Australian chances on a green Hobart wicket and they will like to continue using these conditions to their advantage.
Since their return to Test match cricket, Zimbabwe have played three Test matches – winning one against Bangladesh and losing two. Both games that Zimbabwe lost were well-fought but in the end, it was the lack of experience that did the side in.
Against Pakistan, Zimbabwe batted five sessions to get to 412 but capitulated in their second innings to lose the match. Then against the Kiwis, they needed 366 to win and came close to either winning or drawing it. Doug Bracewell’s five-wicket haul ended the Zimbabwean chances.
Bracewell is only one of the four quick bowlers that the Zimbabweans will have to face on the seamer-friendly pitch at Napier. Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Chris Martin will make things more difficult for the tourists. Daniel Vettori will play the part of an all-rounder – batting at the number six position and lending the spin support.
Zimbabwe, led by their best batsman Brendan Taylor (3/1 at
bet365), will hope they can stand as tall with the bat as they have done at home. Tino Mawayo, who scored a superb century against Pakistan and Hamilton Masakadza, who did the same in the Bangladesh match, will be the other key batsmen. Support from wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu will be expected.
Kyle Jarvis and Brian Vitori will lead the attack for Zimbabwe, but it remains to be seen whether left-arm spinner Ray Price will make it to the playing 11.
The Ross Taylor-led New Zealand (1/3 at
Stan James) should be favourites to win this easy.
Boylesports offers 4/1 for Taylor to top-score for the Kiwis.
New Zealand: (probable XI)
Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor (captain), Dean Brownlie, Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling (wk), Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Chris Martin
Zimbabwe: (probable XI)
Tino Mawoyo, Hamilton Masakadza, Regis Chakabva, Brendan Taylor (capt), Tatenda Taibu, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Shingi Masakadza, Kyle Jarvis, Brian Vitori
The New Zealand v Zimbabwe Test match will begin at 21.30 GMT on January 25.
