ZIM vs NZ Preview | Kiwis brace for first Test in Zimbabwe since 2016 as hosts look for maiden win in season

Zimbabwe's push for a place in the World Test Championship is set for its latest chapter, with two encounters against the Kiwis in Bulawayo. The fact that the Chevrons last won a Test at home in 2013 doesn't augur well for them, or the fact that they are yet to defeat the Black Caps in the longest format of the game. Their recent performances have left little to inspire too, with their last three defeats coming by margins of an innings and 236 runs, 328 runs, and an innings and 45 runs respectively. The bowling has been particularly toothless, with even premier pacer Blessing Muzarabani only managing three scalps in the recent series against the Proteas.

New Zealand, on the other hand, will be without former captain Kane Williamson as well as the present skipper Tom Latham, but still boast a strong line-up capable of batting as deep as eight while having seven bowling options. Kane's absence allows the chance for Henry Nichollls to take over the number three role, allowing him to make a comeback into the Test set-up after two years following a strong domestic season. Glenn Phillips' late injury has also paved the path for Michael Bracewell to extend his Test reportoire, the veteran of eight caps initially not a part of the squad owing to his commitments in The Hundred. The Kiwis had ended up fourth in the last World Test Championship cycle and albeit the 2021-winners are not slated to start the new cycle until December when they take on the Windies at home, the upcoming series offers them a chance to shore up their reserves and prepare for the post-Boult, Wagner, and Southee era.  

Form Guide

Less than a year ago, New Zealand pulled off one of the greatest upsets in their history with a 3-0 clean sweep in India to end the nation's 12-year unbeaten record at home. However, the results have been far from perfect for the Black Caps either side of that iconic tour, preceded by 2-0 hammerings at the hands of Australia and Sri Lanka before losing 2-1 to England at home in their latest endeavour in December.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have triumphed in just one of their last 15 Tests while their latest series win dates as far back as 2011. Recently, the Chevrons ended up emphatically losing 2-0 at home against a second-string Proteas side. 

ZIM:  L L L L W

NZ:  W L L W W

ZIM vs NZ Head-to-Head in Tests

Zimbabwe and New Zealand have taken each other on in 17 Tests, with 11 ending in the Kiwis' favour while six resulted in draws. Five of those draws came in the first six encounters itself between these two nations in the '90s, while the latest draw occurred in Wellington in 2000. The Kiwis have since won six consecutive Tests against the Chevrons -- four of them by an innings -- including a 2-0 whitewash when they last faced off in Zimbabwe in 2016.  

ZIM 0-11 NZ

Pitch and Weather

The Queen Sports Club in Bulawayo has historically been difficult for both run-scoring and the pacers to make an impact, with spinners ruling the roost. However, in the recent-most series between Zimbabwe and South Africa, the quicks ended up with 40 scalps while the spinners only combined for 23. The scoring rate was much quicker too, as the Proteas piled on 626/5 in the second Test at an incredible five and a half an over. Nevertheless, the deck did slow down considerably in both Tests making batting more difficult as the game progressed, thus ensuring that whoever wins the toss on Wednesday is likely to bat first.

As for the weather, a moderately cold Zimbabwe winter morning awaits the players with temperature hovering in the teens in Celsius, along with low humidity and zero cloud cover or chances of rain.

Team News

Despite the swirling reports, Brendan Taylor has not been added to Zimbabwe's squad yet, meaning the world will likely have to wait for his international comeback after the three-year ban. Nevertheless, the side has been boosted by the return of Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, and Sikandar Raza -- the former two recovering from injuries while Raza does not have franchise commitments this time around. With Wessly Madhevere dropped from the squad, Roy Kaia could return to the middle-order for the first time since 2021. 

Kane Williamson will be unavailable for New Zealand due to his involvement in The Hundred, given he no longer holds a central contract, paving the path for both Devon Conway and Will Young to fit into the lineup. Tom Latham injured himself while fielding in the Vitality Blast in England and will sit out the first Test, with Mitchell Santner  set to debut as Test skipper. Kyle Jamieson (personal reasons) and Ben Sears (injured) are also unavailable, meaning a Test debut for either rapid quick Matt Fisher or the number-one ranked T20I bowler Jacob Duffy beckons.   

ZIM Probable XI: Brian Benett, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine (c), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Roy Kaia, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Tanaka Chivanga, Trevor Gwandu, Blessing Muzarabani

NZ Probable XI: Will Young, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke, Matt Fisher     

Broadcasting Platforms

The two-match Test series will be digitally streamed on the Fancode app and website but will have no telecast available.