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Can Zimbabwe find another gear?
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Can Zimbabwe find another gear?

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Match facts

August 6-11, Bulawayo
Start time 0930 local (0730 GMT)

Hamilton Masakadza will have to play his part as Zimbabwe’s top order looks to step up © AFP

Big Picture

A week ago, Zimbabwe were wondering how to stay alive in the first Test against New Zealand. Now, they will be thinking about saving the two-match series and denying New Zealand a chance to claim a cup from the first leg of their self-termed African safari.

Victory for Zimbabwe and a share of the spoils seems improbable unless they are able to correct perennial problems that creep into their approach, almost all of which stem from a lack of game time. Their struggle to build partnerships and bat for long periods of time and their attack’s battle to sustain pressure over extended periods all result in them falling behind early on. They have showed the ability to fight back, but that will probably not be enough against a more complete New Zealand unit.

For New Zealand, a second victory and a clean sweep would be the perfect start in their search for more consistency after they lost ground to Australia. It will also give Kane Williamson a solid foundation on which to build his captaincy and sound a warning to South Africa that they could prove a challenge. Coach Mike Hesson could not find too many “work-ons,” after the first Test but Trent Boult’s pace – which averaged in the late 120s – and the spinners’ returns will be areas to zone in on.

The other area of interest will be the venue itself. Queens Sports Club will host back-to-back fixtures in a test of the ground staff’s ability to turn around quickly. The outfield, which was sluggish for the first Test, would have been trimmed and may be a little quicker while the pitch itself is expected to be slow, low and flat. With school holidays and a long weekend, crowd numbers could be higher, especially as Bulawayo does not know when it will see Test cricket again.

Form guide

Zimbabwe LLLLL (last five matches, most recent first)
New Zealand WLLWW

In the spotlight

After crashing to 36 for 4 and 17 for 4 in the first Test Zimbabwe’s top order will want to give their team a better start. Their ability to cope with a swinging new ball and a hostile short ball will be under particular scrutiny after Tim Southee and Neil Wagner used those tactics to run through them. Responsibility will fall on Hamilton Masakadza, the most experienced player in the top four, to apply himself better than he did last week.

Apart from Trent Boult bowling below pace, the only aspect of New Zealand’s game that they may want to work on from the first Test is their spinners. While Mitchell Santner was economical, Ish Sodhi was expensive and with long spells likely to be needed on a flat track, he will need to tighten up and try to stifle Zimbabwe’s batsmen a little more.

Team news

Several changes are expected in the home team with the possibility of a new opener, a new wicketkeeper and new-look attack. Prince Masvaure could be rewarded for his promising showing with a promotion to the top order, Peter Moor could be tasked with the gloves, and Chris Mpofu, Njabulo Ncube and John Nyumbu may be brought in.

Zimbabwe: (probable) 1 Chamu Chibhabha, 2 Prince Masvaure, 3 Hamilton Masakadza, 4 Craig Ervine, 5 Sean Williams, 6 Regis Chakabva/Peter Moor (wk), 7 Donald Tiripano, 8 Graeme Cremer (capt), 9 Njabulo Ncube, 10 John Nyumbu, 11 Chris Mpofu

This is New Zealand’s last opportunity to experiment with their XI before they head to South Africa. Jeet Raval could be given a chance at the top of the order, Doug Bracewell brought in, and one of the front-line quicks rested with Matt Henry given an opportunity.

New Zealand: 1 Martin Guptill/Jeet Raval, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Henry Nicholls, 5 Ross Taylor, 6 BJ Watling (wk), 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Doug Bracewell 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Trent Boult/Matt Henry, 11 Tim Southee

Pitch and conditions

While Neil Wagner extracted a surprising amount of bounce from the surface for the first match, this one is expected to offer nothing of the sort. The teams are likely to face a hard, flat strip, which will keep run-scoring slow and make wicket-taking difficult. The fielders will not be able to enjoy any respite from the weather either. Temperatures will remain in the mid-to-high 20s and the skies will be cloudless.

Stats and trivia

  • This will be Kane Williamson’s 50th Test
  • Five years ago this week, Zimbabwe returned to Test cricket after a six-year self-imposed exile and won their comeback Test against Bangladesh. Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Tino Mawoyo and Chris Mpofu are the only players who took part in that match who may be involved in this one

Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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