Published: Aug 05, 2016, 12:16 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 05, 2016, 12:16 PM (IST)
Zimbabwe and New Zealand will meet for their second and final Test of the two-Test series at Bulawayo. The visitors won the first Test in a comfortable fashion, and will look to end their short tour on a high. More than just the result, the performance in the first match would have pleased Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson. Tom Latham, Ross Taylor and BJ Watling were outstanding with the bat, whereas Neil Wagner and Trent Boult showed great promise with the ball. As for Zimbabwe, they were outperformed and outclassed for the whole match. Barring a promising display with the bat from Sean Williams and Craig Ervine in the second innings, other players were lacklustre. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand, 2nd Test match
The hosts were found wanting right from the off in the first Test. Despite having won the toss, they could only post 164 on the board, much thanks to a couple of 40’s from Prince Masvaure and Donald Tiripano. If their batting was bad, bowling was abysmal. They tried seven bowling options, and none of them could take in excess of one wicket. The second innings with the bat showed signs of positives, as Ervine scored a half-century, and Williams scored his maiden century.
In the second Test, off spinner John Nyumbu and pacer Chris Mpofu will be expected to come into the side. Nyumbu has played just two Tests in his career, once against New Zealand at Bulawayo in 2011 and the other against Bangladesh. As for Mpofu, he has played 9 Test matches, and will add experience to the bowling unit which looked way too short of ideas in the first Test. Michael Chinouya looks certain to miss out, after scalping a solitary wicket on his debut.
Zimbabwe would be hoping the top-order fires in the second Test. Chamu Chibhabha, Brian Chari and Hamilton Masakadza struggled in both the innings, and failed to give their side a good start. The middle order looked promising, but more will be expected from Raza and Prince Masvaure. As for Williams and Ervine, Zimbabwe will need them to fire again.
For the visitors, the first Test win saw perfect display from both the batsmen and the bowlers. Wagner was the star with the ball in the first innings, scalping career-best 6 for 41. With the bat, Latham, Williamson, Taylor and Watling all got good runs on the board. And the win was confirmed after brilliant display from Boult in the second innings.
New Zealand have no troubles of their own. Tough series against South Africa and India awaits, so they will try to gain as much practice as much as they can from this match. Changes in the team is unlikely, considering the balance has been really good.
The openers fired in the first Test, which set up their huge win. Martin Guptill couldn’t score a half-century, but looked good during his stay of 44. As for the others, Latham, Williamson, Taylor and Watling will all be pleased with their displays, and would look to continue on it. The only failure in the batting was Henry Nicholls, and he will hope to rectify it.
Second Test will be another straightforward win for New Zealand if Zimbabwe play like they did in first Test. The hosts batsmen should take inspiration from Williams and Ervine, and look to make use of their stay at the crease. As for bowlers, the expected addition of Nyumbu and Mpofu will make the bowling unit strong. Still, a very tough contest for the African nation!
Squads:
Zimbabwe: Graeme Cremer (c), Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Peter Moor, Richmond Mutumbami, Taurai Muzarabani, Njabulo Ncube, Donald Tiripano, Sean Williams, John Nyumbu, Chris Mpofu
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner, Neil Wagner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Mark Craig, Matt Henry, Doug Bracewell, Luke Ronchi, Jeet Raval.
(R Narayan is a reporter with CricketCountry, and is an ardent cricket and football enthusiast (big Manchester United fan). Having followed cricket since 2003, he likes high scoring matches as well as good fast bowling. His Twitter handle is @RNarayan24nov)
