 Annihilated on the tour so far, Zimbabwe can now only hope for a miracle to save
them from further embarrassment as they face New Zealand in the first of
two Twenty20 Internationals on Saturday.
While their return to top level international cricket impressed many, it has
also dawned upon Zimbabwe the harsh realities of where their cricket
stands at the moment. Bulldozed in the test match, outplayed in the ODI series,
the African team would be hoping to pull together a better show in the shortest
format of the game. They have not achieved much success in this format either,
with only three wins in 18 matches. Their last win came almost two years ago,
while the most memorable one - against Australia - was way back in 2007. They
were also comprehensively beaten by the same Kiwi side last October.
Click for Live Score Card of New Zealand Vs Zimbabwe
New Zealand have fared reasonably better in the T20s than in other formats,
and will look to continue the dominating run forward as they prepare themselves
for the bigger challenge - South Africa - starting later this month. The selectors
have rewarded shining performers in the domestic HRV Cup with a call-up to the
national. All-rounder Collin de Grandhomme and left-arm spinner Ronnie Hira
are the uncapped players who have been selected with an eye on the World Twenty20
in Sri Lanka later this year. In the absence of Ross Taylor and Jesse
Ryder, the batting order presents opportunities for the likes of Kane Williamson
and Rob Nicol to press their case for the future. Brendon McCullum will lead
the side in Taylor's absence who is out due to an injury.
The match will start at 7.00pm local time in Auckland and is slotted to pull the
crowds on a Saturday evening. New Zealand have won and lost games apiece at this
ground while, interestingly, two matches have also ended tied. The first T20 International
in cricket's history was also played at this ground in 2005.
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