Fri, 04 Mar 2011 - New Zealand vs Zimbabwe, World Cup 2011, 18th match Group A - Preview

New Zealand seek consistency

Preview

Group A match

New Zealand versus Zimbabwe

Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad

Start Time: 09:30 am (IST)

While New Zealand go into this match after being thrashed by the Australian pace attack, Zimbabwe have their tail up after scoring an easy victory over Canada.

Off late, Kiwis just haven’t been able to put consistent performances. Good performances have come few and far between. They have lost more than what they have won.

Big guns in batting line-up are misfiring big time and bowling attack doesn’t look settled. Thursday encounter provides a welcome opportunity to fine tune the combination and hope big players strike some form.

Zimbabwe cricket after five tumultuous years is on rise with former players being employed as administrators and some serious talent in the squad.

They failed to put up a decent show against Australia but came back well to annihilate Canada courtesy their spinners.

A decent show against Kiwis can only enhance their reputation and African side has arsenal to do so.

The clash has been billed as battle between Kiwi batsmen and Zimbabwean spinners and people are looking forward how they will tackle four pronged spin attack of Zimbabwe.

New Zealand

Against Kenya, openers displayed their talent but didn’t anything substantial against strong Australian pace attack.

Brendon Mcullum is yet to discover his belligerent form and Martin Guptil has promised much but is yet to take a leap to rule the roost.

It is the poor form of New Zealand’s best batsmen, Ross Taylor that is worrisome for the Kiwis and Taylor would be keen to have some score under his belt against Zimbabwe.

Lower order batting unit led by Vettori is New Zealand strength but ideally they would want their senior batsmen Scott Styris and Jacob Oram to fire in order to post a big total.

In bowling spin department is very strong with left arm spin of Vettori and off-spin of Nathan Mcullum having variations, control and class to trouble the best in the business.

Indifferent form of fast bowlers who can blow hot one day and cold next day is a worry as easy runs have been leaked by the bowlers.

Experienced Kyle Mills is yet to play a game in the tournament. He should get a game on Thursday.

Hamish Bennet is one bowler that people are talking highly about and he needs to continue on his wicket taking ways.

Squad: Daniel Vettori (Captain), Ross Taylor (Vice Captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptil, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum (Wicket Keeper), Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.

Coach: John Wright

Zimbabwe

African side should take some heart from the fact that some of the New Zealand batsmen struggle against spinners and they have lot of them in their ranks.

It will be interesting how Zimbabwean spinners bowl at spin friendly Ahmedabad pitch. Zimbabwe have opted to open the bowling in the tournament with their ace spinner Raymond Price who has been at his miserly best and amongst the wickets. Other spinners in Prosper Utseya, Greg Lamb and Cremer make a decent spin attack.

Their batsmen have to apply themselves to give their bowlers some runs to work with. Tatenda Taibu and Lamb played very well against Kenya and other batsmen like openers Charles Coventry and Brendon Taylor need to fire to give their team some chance of winning the tie.