Zimbabwe bolstered by India shock ahead of Kiwis challenge

African side faces watered-down New Zealand in first ODI in Harare on Sunday

HARARE: Zimbabwe plan to tap into the renewed energy that sparked a victory over India recently as they take on an under-strength New Zealand side in a three-match ODI series that starts on Sunday.

After sleepwalking their way through a one-day series whitewash at the hands of India, Zimbabwe came to life in the final match of the tour as a fresh desire drove them to a 10-run victory in a Twenty20 match.

While New Zealand will be without regular captain Brendon McCullum, new-ball bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee, and top all-rounder Corey Anderson, Zimbabwe coach Dav Whatmore says his team need to repeat the energy from their last game to have a chance.

“I just think we can do a bit better than what we did against India,” said Whatmore. “To win the last game was very good, there was a different energy out there, and I hope we can reproduce that against New Zealand.”

The hosts have been bolstered by all-rounder Luke Jongwe’s recovery from injuries sustained in a car crash, and the return of fast-bowler Tinashe Panyangara from a side strain, while off-spinner John Nyumbu has been recalled.

Having rested McCullum and Southee, and seen Boult and Anderson forced out of the tour by injury, New Zealand will get a glimpse of some future talent as they plot their path from a World Cup final appearance earlier this year to the 2019 edition of the tournament.

Kane Williamson will captain the Black Caps on the tour, which also comprises a Twenty20 match against Zimbabwe followed by two T20Is and three ODIs in South Africa.

All-rounder George Worker could make his international debut and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi is in line for his first ODI appearance. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2015.

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