Zimbabwe bolstered by India shock ahead of Kiwis challenge
African side faces watered-down New Zealand in first ODI in Harare on Sunday
Zimbabwe coach Dav Whatmore said he feels the bowling department is the one with the most room for improvement. PHOTO: AFP
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 2nd, 2015.
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 2nd, 2015.