Zimbabwe v http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 – One-Off Test – Match Preview
Victorious from the final ODI, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 will look to keep the momentum when they take on New Zealand in the One- Off Test match, played at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, today, November 1st, 2011.
Since being re-admitted to the top flight, the Rhodesians have a 50 % winning ratio. They romped to compelling victory against Bangladesh, where a certain left-armer, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brian-Vitori-c1198 introduced himself with a five-wicket haul.
However, they were soon brought back to earth by their next opponents – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755. Despite their batting clicking in the first innings, the pressure of facing the so-called big nations has seen them underperform, and they tend to remain in their shell until
there is nothing to lose.
The sequence has continued with some poor performances in the T20s and the first two ODIs against Kiwi’s, where the team failed to offer support to their skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BRM-Taylor-c1200 and suffered resounding loses.
However, the mood in the host’s camp has changed ever since their defiant run-chase of 329 in the final ODI, which clinched a much-needed victory. Again the instigator was their captain, who gave the team a perfect platform to build from, and the rest of
the players did that appreciably.
The One-off Test will again provide the Zimbabwean, a perfect opportunity to show how far they have improved and whether they can be ranked among the cricketing giants. Also, the five-day game gives there subdued batsman plenty of time on the crease to build
their innings, so they will be under no hurry to play their shots.
Injuries has hit the team hard, with wicker-keeper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KO-Meth-c1803
the most likeliest candidate to make a Test berth.
Their Kiwi’s under their new captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BB-McCullum-c1129. The skipper was himself among the runs and would have liked to have won the third
ODI; however, a lackluster bowling performance dented his 100% winning record since taking over on a permanent basis.
Having earlier discussed the significance of the One-off Test for the hosts, it is fair to say that the tourists have been nothing short than appalling when it comes to the longer version of cricket, where their last victory came last year against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747.
Since then they have been misfiring on all cylinders and have dropped to no.8 in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DL-Vettori-c1384, who announced a break from the ODI circuit in order to focus more on Test Cricket. His experience
will prove the key if the Kiwi’s want to get back to winning ways
The injury news is looks bleak for the tourists, which sees them without their top pacers, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JD-Ryder-c1679 is out of the clash after picking up a calf injury. This means that management will have to pick the playing
XI from a squad of 12 fit players.
The pitch will be supporting the batters; however, the new ball might offer the extra nip and bounce which could be crucial. Conditions are expected to be clear, however, showers are forecasted for the second and third day.
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