As the 2nd test match is a few days from starting, New Zealand will hope to finish this series in their favor, while their opponents, Zimbabwe, are looking for an opportunity to make this match more intense. With the Black Caps having won the first one by 9 wickets, their side looked very strong in all phases and didn’t showcase much weakness.
Despite not having Kane Williamson or Tom Latham in that match, their depth pieces made a strong impact, and now, seeing that Nathan Smith is also ruled out, they will need to make even further adjustments. Captain Mitchell Santner has been a great motivator for this unit, plus he understands how to build a lineup that will either help his unit dominate or come out victorious in clutch situations.
Seeing that this unit hasn’t lost a match in any format since March 21st, their hoping to push that streak even further and build yet another match-winning combination. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will be full of confidence entering the 2nd test since their group finally were able to play out four full innings in this long format against a top side last match.
Also, receiving the news that Brendan Taylor is once again making his return after a 3-year ban, it will make this unit that much stronger and able to compete. Since Zimbabwe is playing 10+ tests for the first time in a year, since over a decade ago, getting someone like him can really increase their confidence to potentially come out on top against some great teams. Having a captain like Craig Ervine should also help them build up, as he has great veteran experience and has always shown to be a more than capable leader.
Zimbabwe: Top and Middle Order Could Really Create An Element Of Surprise
One side of this Chevrons unit that has really shown improvement is their batsmen, all the way from 1 down to 7 or 8. Being pretty deep in that facet, it all starts with their openers, named Ben Curran, 26.71 average, and rising star Brian Bennett. As Curran is someone who can bat in a very aggressive style and pick up boundaries with ease, his growth has helped match Brian Bennett’s, two centuries plus 503 runs in 16 innings, fast hitting abilities. With this duo starting to get off to pretty quick starts in each match, Nick Welch comes in as a very solid 1-down threat who can play controlled shots while also having three 50+ scores during his first 7 matches. Although it’s clear he needs to work on his consistency, this batsman’s intent for striking the ball into open gaps for four is there.
With Sean Williams having continued to be one of the most experienced batsmen on this side, he’s always been able to carry out the innings further with his 46.97 test average and 6 centuries hit. Someone who is very controlled in his attack, he hits some very crisp shots as a lefty, and makes bowlers rethink their approach against him. Having scored over 1,900 runs in tests, captain Craig Ervine is a very similar style player who has produced amazing results from the right hand.
Zimbabwe’s biggest story will be the return of Brendan Taylor, who should add tons of middle-order depth and was the best batsman on this unit in all formats before his suspension. As he had scored 2,320 runs with six centuries, his prowess will definitely help Zimbabwe become more of a lethal batting attack. To close it out, all-rounder Sikandar Raza looks to continue hitting shots with immense force, while wicket-keeper Tafadzwa Tsiga was a solid presence in their last match against New Zealand.
New Zealand: Batting Unit Will Be In A Continuous Rhythm Once Again
For New Zealand, their batting is a massive strength as well, despite missing two of their biggest batsmen during this series. Their opening pair of Devon Conway and Will Young will create problems for opposing bowlers since they are both extremely skilled plus bat from different sides. Conway had an 88-run knock in his first innings last match and seems to like playing those cover drives a lot when in good touch.
On the opposite end, Will Young mixes up his aggressive and controlled shots, while being someone whose hit 10 half-centuries in just 38 innings of this format. With Rachin Ravindra next up, he’s another piece that has great footwork and shot-making ability on this side, while having shown great consistency in test cricket because of a 36.51 average.
Still being young, he’s going to show even more improvement and has the potential to become the next big thing for New Zealand in the longer format. Going down the order, another big name to mention is Henry Nicholls, who’s replacing Kane Williamson quite nicely. As his total runs crossed 3,000 last match, this is someone who hits the ball with a ton of power and gets boundaries at quite a rapid pace.
Having hit 9 career centuries, he’s a batsman that bowlers need to watch out for alongside Daryl Mitchell. Talking about Mitchell, his height allows him to play the pull shot pretty easily, while he’s also this group’s main closer, who finishes off matches despite wickets being lost around him. Wicket-keeper Tom Blundell is a master of hitting sweep shots down the order, while both Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner can bat as world-class all-rounders.
Zimbabwe: Pace & Spin Attack Could End Up Creating Massive Problems For Opponents
Looking at Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, it has been a pretty solid unit despite a few struggles in test matches this year. It all starts with star pacer Blessing Muzarabani, whose name slowly turned into a household name internationally after being able to deliver lethal bouncers.
One of the best-looking actions we have seen in world cricket, Blessing Muzurabani fast bowling has taken 60 wickets in just 16 test matches, while going for a 3.25 economy. Many batsmen don’t seem to want to take him on and get nervous when this young star begins his spell. Their other extremely important quickie is Tanaka Chivanga, whose just recently started his international career but has taken some top teams by storm. Even though he has a pretty high 4.7 economy, this is someone who is trusted as a clear wicket-taker in tense situations and has provided 14 for this group in just 6 matches.
Talking about lefty bowlers, Newman Nyamhuri is here to stay as he showcased that his deliveries could right into batsmen’s legs and create wickets by hitting the stumps. Still just 19 years old, he is developing a very strong feel for fast bowling and should be a great complement later on down the line to Blessing Muzarabani.
Now going into spinners, Sikandar Raza has continued being a strong wicket-taker with 40 in 20 test matches, while also working in long spells to control the opposition’s runs. The new piece that could make a lasting impact is Vincent Masekesa, as he’s taken 9 wickets in his first three career tests, while always having a surprise element when spinning. Someone who replaced Wellington Masakadza, it will be interesting to see if Zimbabwe remains with that change once again.
New Zealand: Very Deep Bowling Side Despite Injuries
Although this side is missing Kyle Jameison and now Nathan Smith, their remaining pieces are still very strong in order to hold teams for lower runs. Seeing that Matt Henry has made his return to the test side very strongly, he took a 9-wicket haul last match and is now up to 129 career ones. Someone who can bowl at a very fast pace, he doesn’t leak too many boundaries, and has seemed to not allow any batsmen to hit the ball when in a rhythm.
Will O’Rourke, 39 wickets in 11 matches, showed a lot of promise in the 1st test as well and allowed just 54 runs in well over 20 overs of bowling. With both of them attacking the same line and length on every ball, their ability to force batsmen to nick it will let newcomer Zachary Foulkes ease into this match on debut. Mitchell Santner will continue being the main left-handed spinner as he reinvented himself once again, while Ajaz Patel could get some overs.
Previous Matches
Matches Played: 17
New Zealand Won: 11
Zimbabwe Won: 0
Drawn: 6
Last 5: New Zealand has won the last 5 test matches in a row
Prediction
New Zealand Batting First: Score around 350 in their first innings and 250 in the second to win by 90 runs
Zimbabwe Batting First: Score around 200 in their first innings and 270 in the second to lose by 6-7 wickets
New Zealand Batting Second: Score around 370 in their first innings and win by 6 wickets after 2nd innings
Zimbabwe Batting Second: Score around 250 in their first innings and lose by 80-85 runs in 2nd innings
Final Prediction: New Zealand win by 80 runs if batting first and 6 wickets if batting second
Key Players
Zimbabwe
Blessing Muzarabani: Amazing action and pace, which could lead to lethal bouncers that batsmen fear
Sean Williams: A top-notch left-handed batsman who plays with full class
Brendan Taylor: Makes his return after three years to continue being this unit’s strongest batsman
Sikandar Raza: Zimbabwe’s best all-rounder who picks up key wickets plus provides a solid batting average
New Zealand
Rachin Ravindra: A left-handed batsman who hits great cover drives and understands how to attack bowlers
Matt Henry: Best bowler for this unit in the match with his extreme pace and accuracy
Mitchell Santner: Captain who leads by example while providing valuable bowling overs
Devon Conway: Opening batter who has shown the ability to play a wide range of shots
Also Read: ZIM vs SA : Wiaan Mulder Reflects On His Unbeaten 367 After Conversation With Brian Lara