adminon the hosts.
The teams are set to engage in two Twenty20 matches, three One Day Internationals and one Test during the four-week tour.
After spending three days in Pretoria, South Africa, where the Black Caps were “acclimatising”, Taylor believes they are ready for battle and will not be underestimating the Brendan Taylor-captained side.
“We’ve just come from three days in Pretoria (South Africa). It is nice to have acclimatised to the altitude. It has been a long winter for a lot of players; it is a lot cooler back home in New Zealand so it’s nice to get a bit of sun on our backs.
“It’s my first trip here but there are a lot of guys who have got experience in the conditions. We are lucky that the New Zealand A team came last year and a lot of the players who were in that side are here,” said Taylor.
The hosts Zimbabwe are coming from a disappointing home series against Pakistan which ended in a whitewash in all formats and are looking forward to raise their game.
But New Zealand were quick to point out that they are here for business, as they aim to win on all fronts against a Zimbabwe side that has been more active of late than the Black Caps.
According to Ross Taylor, former captain Daniel Vettori could join the tour after the opening two Twenty20 games set for Harare, with the first on Saturday afternoon.
Taylor said they have respect for Zimbabwe because of such players like Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Ray Price former captain and wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu who have considerable experience at the high level.
While Zimbabwe were busy on the international scene where they won against Bangladesh before falling on all fronts against Pakistan last month, New Zealand were on the break.
But despite all these differences, Ross Taylor feels that they will have to do all they can to complete convincing wins over Zimbabwe during their month long tour.
“We have been on a long break and Zimbabwe were active during that time so we are expecting a tough series against them and it is not going to be a walk because they have been on against Bangladesh and Pakistan.”
With the knowledge Taylor has on Zimbabwe, he feels that there is a lot of experience players that will give New Zealand enough challenge to make the games more competitive.
“Of course we can not rule out Zimbabwe because there are players like Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu and new captain Brendan Taylor.
“And I am also a new captain of the side having taken over from Vettori and I know there is a lot of pressure on us back home to do well and we will be under pressure.
“The (New Zealand) A team came here last year and there is a lot of players in this team who were here last year but for me this is my first time here so I am looking forward to the challenge,” added Taylor.
Taylor knows the responsibilities he will face in his journey to try and lead New Zealand as the captain of the side and this will be his first assignment as the team captain.
“There’s always going to be nerves when you take over as captain for the first time, but the biggest thing for me is scoring runs, leading from the front.
“If you’re scoring runs the team is going to follow and your speeches become easier. There’s no use preaching to the team if you’re not scoring runs.”
There are a number of new faces in the New Zealand side that are set to make their international debuts against Zimbabwe including all-rounder Doug Bracewell and Rob Nicole.
But he also added that Zimbabwe will be in an advantage position as they are “used to the local conditions and know them better”.
“It’s nice to see they’re going to be very competitive on their home turf,” he said.
Squads
Zimbabwe T20 Squad: Brendan Taylor (captain), Charles Coventry, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Keegan Meth, Natsai M’shangwe, Christopher Mpofu, Forster Mutizwa, Raymond Price, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu, Prosper Utseya, Malcom Waller.
New Zealand ODI/T20 squad:Ross Taylor (c), Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Jesse Ryder, Kane Williamson, James Franklin, BJ Watling, Rob Nicol, Luke Woodcock, Doug Bracewell, Jacob Oram, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Graeme Aldridge, Andy McKay. Chris Martin, Tim Southee, Dan Vettori, Jeetan Patel, Reece Young and Dean Brownlie join the tour for the test leg.
Schedule
Oct 15: First T20, Harare
Oct 17: Second T20, Harare
Oct 20: First ODI, Harare
Oct 22: Second ODI, Harare
Oct 25: Third ODI, Bulawayo
Nov 1-5: Only Test, Bulawayo
Online Reporter