Homeeditors pickZIM vs NZ 2016, 1st Test at Bulawayo: Key battles
Zimbabwe vs New Zealand 2016, 1st Test at Bulawayo: Key battles
With Test cricket returning to Zimbabwe after almost three years, the hosts prepare to take on visitors New Zealand in the first of the two-match series at Bulawayo.
With Test cricket returning to Zimbabwe after almost three years, the hosts prepare to take on visitors New Zealand in the first of the two-match series at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Thursday. Zimbabwe are playing a Test series after almost two years, with their last match in the white outfit being against Bangladesh in October 2014, in an away series, where they were whitewashed 3-0 by the tigers. It has been a long time since then, as they would aim to start afresh, as New Zealand would be a force to reckon with, despite the series being held at home. Ayush Gupta predicts the key battles that could unfold in this tie. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand, 1st Test match
Kane Williamson vs Graeme Cremer: The battle of the skippers, as both the captains of the side are ought to clash in this all-important tie for either side. Kane Williamson, who has been off to a fair start as the Kiwi skipper, would like to continue his good run and clinch another win in this tie, as well as the whole series, while for Graeme Cremer, who was a part of the previous losing side against Bangladesh in Tests, would like to get off to a thumping and winning start here, thus causing the opening blow and upset for the Kiwis, as his side would definitely gain a huge momentum in pursuit of a series win. ZIM vs NZ 2016, 1st Test at Bulawayo: Likely XI for the visitors’
Chamu Chibhabha vs Mitchell Santner: The two bowlers are likely to collide, as Chamu Chibhabha, the medium pace bowler has been in good form of late in the limited-overs format. However, his form is ought to be tested in the longest format of the game, and how fruitful he is with his deliveries in restricting the strong Kiwi batsmen, as he makes his Test debut. As for Mitchell Santner, he too has been in fair form, as with six wickets in three Tests, he too would be a test for the Kiwis on how his slower deliveries trouble the Zimbabwean batsmen. Matter of fact, both the players are rookies in their respective sides.
Hamilton Masakadza vs Tim Southee: The two veteran all-rounders from the respective sides are all set to provide tough competition to each other, especially with their vast all-round experience. Hamilton Masakadza, who is mostly dangerous with his bat, can be equally dangerous with the ball, as he can ball both leg-break googly, along with medium pace delivery, that is ought to trouble quite a few New Zealand batsmen. As for Tim Southee, he is usually known to be more dangerous with the ball. However, he can be equally destructive with the bat, as he could well turn out to be a reliable Test batsman, and can give a tough time to the Zimbabwean bowlers.
Martin Guptill vs Donald Tiripano: The exquisite New Zealand opener Martin Guptill is all set to provide tough competition to the medium pacer Donald Tiripano, as Guptill, who usually likes to get off to a flying start, and is a reliable opener, also known to build a steady innings, could well fall trap to Tiripano’s deadly opening spell, as he is known to put pressure on the batsmen early on in the innings. Although Tiripano is yet to be tested in Tests, having played just a game, with a couple of wickets, he is a charismatic bowler, as Zimbabwe can vastly rely on him.
Sikandar Raza vs Ish Sodhi: Again, in the clash of the all-rounders, it’s Zimbabwe’s young sensation Sikandar Raza, who is equally deadly with both bat and the ball, as he gets set to provide tough competition to both Kiwi batsmen and bowlers, while for the visitors it’s their fellow young all-rounder Ish Sodhi, who can bowl Leg-break googlies to trouble the Zimbabwean batsmen and can easily send them to the backfoot, while has a magical calibre with the bat.
(Ayush Gupta is a reporter at CricketCountry. A passionate supporter of Manchester United, he idolises Roger Federer and is also a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) maniac. He can be followed on Twitter @Ayush24x7)
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