Zimbabwe will approach their one-off Test against New Zealand from tomorrow keenly aware that every international match they play strengthens or loosens their foothold in world cricket after a long and sometimes bitter exile.
The years that Zimbabwe spent on the sidelines of world cricket, a consequence of failing form and domestic political volatility, ended in August when they beat Bangladesh in a match that heralded their return to Test status.
Zimbabwe then strongly pressed New Zealand in a solitary Test in Bulawayo late last year, holding the upper hand until the final session when young fast bowler Doug Bracewell bowled New Zealand to a 34-run win.
That performance and a strong hit-out in their warm-up match — a three-dayer against a composite XI containing several New Zealand Test players — will send Zimbabwe into the Test at McLean Park confident of a respectable display.
Coach Alan Butcher said Zimbabwe believed they could match New Zealand after their recent experience at home.
“There was no doubt New Zealand were very worried up until tea time on that last day,” he said. “I hope we can visibly get them as worried again in this Test. It’s obviously going to be more difficult on their home patch but that’s what I would hope for. If we do that, perhaps this time we will have more know-how to go on and win the game.”
Wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu, a relative veteran of 27 Tests, said Zimbabwe were eager to re-establish themselves as one of Test cricket’s earnest battlers.
“When one door closes another one opens,” Taibu said. “Being away from Test cricket, the guys are really hungry to really do well in the games we do have. Because cricket evolves, there’s no doubt we’ll be a little behind.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“I’m sure the more we play, we will catch up with the rest of the countries, and get back to where we were with the Test game.”
Zimbabwe also meet a New Zealand team in a period of transition. Their Test win over Australia in Hobart in December buoyed New Zealand’s spirits, but the team that will face Zimbabwe will contain several changes from that side.
New Zealand need a new wicketkeeper after Reece Young was dropped after a period of poor batting form and either BJ Watling, a specialist batsman, or Kruger van Wyk, an uncapped keeper, will fill that role.
Coach John Wright said he was “a fair way down the road” to deciding which would play — most likely Watling after his top-score of 84 in the New Zealand XI’s first innings in the warm-up match at Gisborne.
Teams
New Zealand: Ross Taylor (captain), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori, Kruger van Wyk, BJ Watling, Same Wells, Kane Williamson.
Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (captain), Regis Chakabva, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Keegan Meth, Forster Mutizwa, Raymond Price, Tatenda Taibu, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller.
