Zimbabwe v New Zealand, 1st ODI Preveiw: New look Kiwis takes on Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe v New Zealand, 1st ODI Preveiw: New look Kiwis takes on Zimbabwe: After the heroics of the New Zealand side in the recently concluded World Cup 2015, now after a break of one month they will face the Zimbabwean side on 2^nd August at Harare. But, mind you folks the Kiwi players will play with the word Aotearoa embarked on their back which is the Maori word for New Zealand. The premiere Kiwi batsman Kane Williamson will be leading the troops in absence of the regular skipper Brendon McCullum, who along with Tim Southee has been rested from the series. While the likes of Corey Anderson and the World Cup hero, Trent Boult are missing the series due to injuries.

Zimbabwe:

The Zimbabwe side has enhanced its game in leaps and bounds in the last year or so under the guidance of Dav Whatmore. But, yet their improvements have not cashed them victories which has been their biggest problem. Even after performing well and coming into winning positions, their inability to grasp the crucial moments of the game where they are needed to counter punch their opponents out of the game, has been their biggest drawback. In the last 11 ODI’s, they have crossed the victory line only once. From giving taut rivalry to strong sides in the World Cup to faring well in bilateral series against Pakistan and India, they have performed admirably, but only in one department or in a certain phase of the match, which has been the reason of their tumble.

If we talk about bowling then they have decent bowlers who are able to control the batsmen upfront or sometimes they even get crucial breakthroughs, but then in the time period between middle-overs to the slog overs, they don’t have the bowing resources to deflate opponents. In batting, they have progressed a lot with players like Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza and Chamu Chibhabha making giant strides while the likes of Hamilton Masakadza and Sean Williams, provide the much needed experience to the batting order. But, they need to perform collectively as a batting unit to en route glory and win back the hearts of their people. Now, they direly need to win matches than merely showcasing improvements.

New Zealand:

The Kiwis are the no. 3 ranked ODI side and have been in the form of their lives in the recent few years across all the formats of the game. The World Cup 2015 finalists would look to continue their merry run while young players like James Neesham and George Worker would like to stake their claims in the colorful jerseys. New Zealand’s batting order looks very solid with the experience of Ross Taylor, Kane Willamson and Martin Guptill strengthening the side, the likes of Grant Elliot and Luke Ronchi will provide batting firepower to the side in the back end of the innings.

On the bowling front, though New Zealand will miss the class of Trent Boult and Tim Southee but the likes of Mitchell McClenaghan, Matt Henry, and Adam Milne makes their bowling intimidating for the Zimbabweans.

Players to watch out for:

The Zimbabwean skipper Elton Chigumbura has been in his best form with 318 runs in 8 ODI matches, this year. Recently, he hammered a belligerent century each against Pakistan and India. He would love to win few matches for his country when Zimbabwe lock horns with the Kiwis.

Kane Williamson, the most consistent batter of the side will be lashed with extra responsibility of captaincy. The apparent heir of McCullum, Williamson will look to impress the selectors both as a batsman and in the captain’s role.

Zimbabwe Probable XI:

1 Chamu Chibhabha, 2 Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Sean Williams, 4 Elton Chigumbura (capt), 5 Sikandar Raza, 6 Craig Ervine, 7 Regis Chakabva, 8 Graeme Cremer, 9 Prosper Utseya/John Nyumbu, 10 Tinashe Panyangara, 11 Neville Madziva

New Zealand Probable XI:

1 Martin Guptill, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 James Neesham/George Worker, 7 Luke Ronchi, 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Mitchell McClenaghan, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Adam Milne/Ish Sodhi