Are Zim homesick?

was place in the second ODI, which Zimbabwe needed to win, to level the series and take it to a winner-take-all third ODI.
Sadly, the Zimbabweans were once again badly outclassed in all facets of the game.

Shingi Masakadza and Kyle Jarvis started promisingly as the New Zealand opening batters only managed eight runs after the first five overs.
But after having a good look at the conditions and the bowling, both Martin Guptill and Rob Nicol unleashed themselves on the Zimbabwe attack, pounding them to all corners of the ground with savage brutality.
And, in so doing, snatched the game and the series away from Zimbabwe without much trouble.

What was also noticeable was that the New Zealand bowlers were aggressive and on the money with one yorker after another.
And when they did decide to bowl the odd short ball, it was well directed and hostile as Elton Chigumbura will testify, thanks to Jacob Oram, who had him in a certain amount of discomfort after consecutive well-directed short pitched deliveries to the body.

But truth be told, there were very few positives to take out of the 141-run bashing Zimbabwe recieved.
What was also disappointing to note was that at no time, whatsoever, did Zimbabwe show any interest or inclination to even try and be positive in their approach when batting.
Of course, 373 was always going to be beyond them, and most people would be very understanding of the fact that the batters would not have achieved that total, but you still have to maintain a certain degree of positivity when going out to bat, no matter the situation.

But instead they chose to meander along and although Taibu and Chigumbura’s partnership saved Zimbabwe’s blushes by ensuring that they were beaten by less than 200 runs, a prospect which seamed very real at one stage, it would have been good to have seen more urgency.

Even if Zimbabwe had been bowled out doing so, they would have earned the respect of the opposition and fans for at least making a fight of it, regardless of the outcome.
Chigumbura showed glimpses of returning to form and one can only hope that his 63 will lead to bigger and better things for the country.
So why are Zimbabwe playing so badly?

Are the conditions really as demanding?
Brendan Taylor and his shell-shocked men only have a few days to recover before once again doing battle against a very well oiled and professional looking unit.