Zimbabwe look to put Kiwis in a spin

Zimbabwe is one of the few teams in the competition with a spin-heavy attack.

AHMEDABAD:

New Zealand will be desperate to boost their World Cup quarter-final hopes with a convincing win over Zimbabwe in a crunch clash today.

Both teams have suffered heavy losses to Australia but were able to beat the minnows in their group. Zimbabwe, thriving on fine performances by their spinners in the previous matches, will be looking to rattle the spin-wary Kiwis with a similar plan. The African nation is one of the few teams in the competition with a spin-heavy attack which has come good so far on the sub-continental wickets.

“Australia attacked us with pace and we are going to see a lot of spin in this game, so it is an exciting challenge for us, but one we have to win,” said New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori. “It’s important for us to counter all their spinners.

“Price does a good job at the start and we’ve got to be ready for it. The fact that we have not played them for a long time is probably a little bit of disadvantage for us. We are pretty sure of what we will come up against.”

New Zealand will be keen to nail their final team-combination ahead of potentially tougher games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The Kiwis erred in their selection against Australia, picking Hamish Bennett ahead of Kyle Mills and bringing opener Jamie How down at number seven in place of Jacob Oram.

Bennett picked up two wickets but was carted for 63 runs in seven overs and How managed 22 in a below-par New Zealand batting performance. Apart from selection woes, New Zealand also have their batting to worry about. Among the top six batsmen, only Jesse Ryder showed some character.

Zimbabwe spinner Ray Price said he was relishing the challenge of bowling against the Kiwis at the start of the innings.

“I am always itching to bowl, it doesn’t matter if it is the start or the end,” said Price, “It would be a good challenge for me because Brendon McCullum hits the ball a long way. They have got some good players, so it is going to be very difficult for me.”

Daniel Vettori

The fact that we have not played them for a long time is probably a little bit of disadvantage for us. It’s important for us to counter all their spinners

Ray Price

I am always itching to  bowl, it doesn’t matter if  it is the start or the end of  the match. It would be a good challenge for me against New Zealand

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2011.