Failing to overcome energetic New Zealand in the first game, Zimbabwe are gearing up to host New Zealand in the second and final Test, scheduled to begin on August 7 in Bulawayo. The hosts are under immense pressure to level the series and avoid the series defeat. In the first Test, New Zealand inflicted a crushing nine-wicket defeat, outshining Zimbabwe in all departments. Deciding to bat after winning the toss, Zimbabwe lost all of their ten wickets for a total of 149, with batter Craig Ervine (39) being the top scorer.
New Zealand, in reply, were lifted to a whopping total of 307 by Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell scoring 88 and 80, respectively. Zimbabwe, in their second innings, were folded for 165, setting New Zealand a target of 8 runs which they chased in 2.2 overs. Heading into the second Test, Zimbabwe will bank on their experienced players Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams and Nick Welch to step up and play a pivotal role in helping the side level the series.
For New Zealand, they would expect their ever-reliable campaigners Will Young, Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell to carry on with their destructive form to further complicate things for the hosts. Meanwhile, the Black Caps have suffered an injury setback ahead of the series as their pacer Will O’Rourke has been ruled out of the second Test with a back injury.
Head-to-head
Matches - 17
NZ won - 11
ZIM won - 0
Drawn - 6
Zimbabwe likely XI: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Newman Nyamhuri, Vincent Masekesa, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga
New Zealand likely XI: Devon Conway, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy/Ben Lister