Published: Aug 06, 2016, 12:00 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 30, 2016, 07:07 PM (IST)
Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s live coverage of Day 1 of the second Test match between Zimbabwe and New Zealand at Bulawayo on Saturday. In the opening Test, the visitors won by an innings and 117 runs, courtesy Ross Taylor’s spectacular 173. Zimbabwe, as a matter of fact, tasted the longest format after a span of 2 years. Though the outcome did not go their way, they left no stone unturned to put up a good fight against the might of the New Zealand team. However, it will be a special day for two Black Caps cricketers, Kane Williamson and Tim Southee, as they will be playing their 50th Test. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand 2016, 2nd Test at Bulawayo
Zimbabwe veteran Hamilton Masakadza has been ruled out of the second Test due to back injury, leaving the batting line-up vulnerable. Hence, the onus will be on the promising Chamu Chibhabha to lay the foundation for the middle-order. The track is expected to be on the slower side, giving the hosts an opportunity to register enough runs on the scoreboard. Sean Williams, who scored hundred in the first Test, need to continue his commanding performance.
New Zealand, however, have a solid batting unit at their disposal, as three batsmen scored a century in the first match.
It was Tom Latham who started the run fest. He scored fourth ton of his career, putting the visitors in the driver’s seat. However, the bulk of the runs were churned out by the talismanic Taylor. ZIM vs NZ 2016, 2nd Test: Kane Williamson vs Graeme Cremer & other key battles
The Bulawayo spectators may or may not get to experience Test cricket for a while now. And with the ongoing holiday season, the stadium is expected to be full house.
Squads:
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson (c), Mitchell Santner, Luke Ronchi, BJ Watling (wk), Neil Wagner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Matt Henry, Mark Craig
Zimbabwe: Brian Chari, Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Peter Moor, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Graeme Cremer (c), Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva, Prince Masvaure, Taurai Muzarabani, N Ncube, Donald Tiripano
FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand 2016, 2nd Test at Bulawayo
