Published: Aug 06, 2016, 11:22 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 06, 2016, 11:23 AM (IST)
New Zealand will be aiming to white-wash the two-match Test series with another win at Bulawayo. The visitors had must be high on confidence after an emphatic win by an innings and 117 runs in the series opener. Their fast bowlers breached into the Zimbabwe batsmen’s defence quite easily, barring a fighting show from Craig Ervine and Sean Williams down the order. The Test match ended on the fourth day only. Their batting order flourished as three of them scored centuries to take New Zealand to a mammoth total. Their batsmen responded to their coach’s call to show temperament when playing at Bulawayo and that is what they did in first Test. New Zealand will be looking to do the same in second Test too and end their tour of Zimbabwe on a high. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand 2016, 2nd Test at Bulawayo
Top Order: New Zealand’s top order set the tone for rest of the match. Openers Martin Guptill and Tom Latham shared a 79 runs stand before Guptill got out for 40. He will try to stay at the crease having seen the weaknesses of Zimbabwe bowling update. Latham carried forward the innings with skipper Williamson. Latham went on to score his fourth Test century, he shared a 166-run stand with Williamson. However, the skipper fell short of his century by 9 runs, he had steadied the ship for his team by then.
Middle Order: The visitors’ most experienced batsman, Ross Taylor use his experience to utmost effect against Zimbabwe’s lowly bowling attack. He capitalised on their weaknesses. He remained not out for 173 in the first Test and expected to score in the second Test too. Henry Nicholls and Ish Sodhi did not do well in the middle but wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling went on to score century and shared a massive 253 run partnership with Taylor. Mitchell Santer is expected to bat up the order in the second Test. Santner took 3 wickets in the first Test.
Lower Order: The lower order will feature Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Trent Boult. Ish Sodhi might bat down the order, he was able to take only 1 wicket in the first Test. Their fast bowling attack rattled Zimbabwe batsmen as they claimed 16 wickets in the series opener. Wagner got 6 wickets in first innings whereas Boult dominated batsmen in the second innings taking 4 wickets. TIm Southee chipped in with 2 wickets each in both the innings. Zimbabwe batsmen have struggled against New Zealand fast bowling.
New Zealand Likely XI:
Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult
(Arun Rawal, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a daydreamer, movie buff, and cricket fanatic. He could not play cricket, so did the next best thing, writing for it. He loves to play the flick shot over square leg, and believes Sachin Tendulkar is God. His Twitter handle is @ArunRawal93
