Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE are bracing for yet another tricky encounter as they are set to face New Zealand in the first Test match starting at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo today.
This marks the first Test meeting between the Chevrons and the Black Caps since 2016, when the visitors claimed a 2-0 series win at the same venue.
Chevrons skipper Craig Ervine said they are looking forward to the series adding that their squad has been bolstered by a couple of additions from the team that faced South Africa at the same venue last month.
Ervine believes that patience and discipline will be key. Zimbabwe have had a few practice sessions at Queens Sports Club following their arrival from Harare after the conclusion of the T20I Tri-Series over the weekend.
“It’s an important Test for us having to play against New Zealand again in Test cricket. The gap between the last time we played them and now is big but everyone is excited to have the opportunity to play against them in the two Tests.
“We have to be a little bit more disciplined and patient. It has been nice to have a couple of training sessions and get straight to it tomorrow.
“The group has been excited to get going again in the red-ball space, it was nice to have two good sessions before the first day. Everyone is energised and ready to get going.
“There are a few new faces in the squad this time around from the last time we played against South Africa. It’s good to have those guys back. We know what Bennett (Brian) brings at the top of the order for us and we know what Sikandar (Raza) brings with bat and ball so it’s nice to have that balance back in the squad.
“Our preparations before the South African Test were really good. When you look at our batting it was just the application and discipline that we lacked.
“It was more from a mindset perspective. A lot of focus going into this series is working on those attributes, and also making sure that one is really switched on as a batter in those first 20 or so balls,” said Ervine.
The veteran batter added that playing top sides like New Zealand is an important step in the growth and development of players, saying that having them exploit Zimbabwe team’s weakness makes the team go back to fix the mistakes.
Apart from Raza, Bennett and Ben Curran making a return to the side, Zimbabwe have also welcomed back Brendan Taylor whose three and a half year suspension ended on Saturday.
Ervine said Taylor is a great addition to the squad, adding that the youngsters in the team will learn a lot from his experience. Taylor, however, will be available for the second Test.
“He will be available for the second Test. I know how hard he has worked in his individual capacity in the last eight to 12 months in order for this to happen.
“I am excited to have him come back into the space in the next few days and looking forward to what he has to contribute to the team and the group. He will be coming from a space where he was exceptional in his international career before the ban and having to go through that process as an individual.
“ From his mental space, we will see a possibly slightly different Brendan Taylor and the juniors can possibly learn a lot from his experience as a cricketer, from before and the transition that he has been through in order to get himself back,” said Ervine.
New Zealand go into this match with a new skipper, Mitchell Santner who will be standing in for the injured Tom Latham. Santner said it is an honour to captain New Zealand in red-ball cricket.
He said they are wary of the threat Zimbabwean pose, especially at home.
“It’s a new feeling. It’s unfortunate for Tom, he has done a great job for the Test team over the last few years. It’s a great honour to be captain.
“Two massive parts of our side, Glenn has done well in that all-rounder role and Tom in batting but we have guys who can come in and do that job which is nice. We will make that final call on the team when we look at the pitch we have a strong side.
“We know they are a good side, especially at home. We watched their last Test against South Africa but this is a new looking team, they have some good additions.
“Ben Curran is back, Brendan Taylor as well, Raza is playing as well, and so they have a good team and are going to be a challenge especially at home,” he said.
The match starts at 10am. — @brandon_malvin
