 The first and the only Test match between Zimbabwe and New Zealand will
begin from November 1 at the Queens Park Club in Bulawayo. The two sides will
be looking to get the better of each other in the match but with different definitions
of success.
The way Zimbabwe has played this series, despite their win over New Zealand
in the third ODI, they will be a happy lot with a draw to their name. On the
other hand, New Zealand won the ODI series 2-1 when they should have won it
3-0, and nothing short of a convincing rout would be a good result for the side.
Click for Live Score Card of Zimbabwe Vs New Zealand
Zimbabwe will be buoyed by the way their batsmen have batted throughout the
ODIs. Of course, in the 50-over games, the Kiwis had gone in with a slightly
depleted attack, but that should take nothing away from the Zimbabwean top-order. Brendan Taylor was the standout performer and will continue to be the
thorn in the Kiwi flesh. Earlier, in their first Test after return to Tests,
Taylor had smacked a century and a half century to ensure that they beat Bangladesh
while he was the top-scored in the recently finished ODI series against the
New Zealand side as well.
On the other hand, the issue that the home side may face is that the bowling
attack against them would be slightly stronger. They will be up against some
more quality than they played in the ODIs - what with the likes of Chris Martin
and Daniel Vettori making a comeback to the Test match team, after having
taken a break earlier.
The New Zealanders have been hit by a fitness blow or two. Jesse Ryder
will play no more part in the Test series after he injured his groin in the
warm-up game and that leaves the side to rely on Kane Williamson for
their top-order runs.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe will be looking to unleash their pace bowler, Brian
Vitroi who seemed to have lost his form after a good show against Bangladesh in
both, the ODIs and the Test match. He could look to partner Kyle Jarvis. The other
option for the team would be to get in Chris Mpfou, but there are question marks
over his sustainability over the longer format of the game.
New Zealand should win this one with ease.
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