The series opener between Zimbabwe and New Zealand, in the end was a no contest with the visitors literary running away with the show. The feeble Zimbabwean batting and ineffective bowling meant New Zealand’s rustiness after being out of action for good six months post the 2011 WC campaign was not exploited. That enabled Ross Taylor to start his captaincy stint on a winning note and the kind of form Zimbabwe has shown, the winning streak is likely to continue.
Zimbabwe started their home season on a bright note, doing well against a higher ranked opponents Bangladesh before things went kaput. A listless showing against Pakistan in all the three formats put question mark on their ability to win against better opponents. And, the pasting at hands of New Zealand has further reinforced this notion.
However, Zimbabwe can still salvage some pride and it is up to their batsmen to take the first step. Even though, skipper Brendon Taylor tried his best in the first T20 to take his team to some kind of a total but rest of the batting just did not have the game to take the attack to the opposition. Their main man at the top Vusimuzi Sibanda will have to score runs and provide launch pad for rest of the pack. The services of Tatenda Taibu were sorely missed in the middle order after the keeper had to sit out of the game due to injury.
While their opponents are grappling with batting woes, New Zealand coasted to victory because of a belligerent assault by Brendon McCullum who looked in his element after a long time. Though, slow off the blocks, he clattered half a dozen sixes in his unbeaten 81 run knock. His stylish opening partner, Martin Guptill too looked in good nick in the undefeated century opening stand.
As far as the New Zealand bowling is concerned, they fared well even in the absence of Daniel Vettori. While Kyle Mills once again showed that he is quite adept at moving the new ball, Nathan McCullum is fast evolving as a decent spin bowling option. Ross Taylor may also give some of his younger bowlers a continued run against Zimbabwe so that they are ready to face stronger oppositions in the assignments to follow.
It wouldn’t surprise many if the visitors make a clean sweep in the shortest format but Zimbabwe would do well to limit the score line to one each.
Zimbabwe Squad: Brendan Taylor (c), Charles Coventry, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Keegan Meth, Natsai M'shangwe, Christopher Mpofu, Forster Mutizwa, Raymond Price, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu, Prosper Utseya, Malcolm Waller.
New Zealand Squad: Ross Taylor (c), Graeme Aldridge, Doug Bracewell, James Franklin, Martin Guptil, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.
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