Zim play Black Caps in warm-up

followed and although the results did not go their way, coach Alan Butcher and his charges have not lost hope.
Zimbabwe’s last Test match against New Zealand ended in a narrow 34-run defeat despite a spirited fightback and as they embarked on their first away tour this week, the team appeared in high spirits and confident to give the hosts a good match.
This is their first away tour since their return to Test status and starting today Zimbabwe will have their feel of the outside world when they engage New Zealand XI in a three day warm-up match at Gisborne. The team is in New Zealand for a one off Test, three One Day Internationals and two Twenty20 games.
“It’s a real test and the boys have to believe in themselves,” said assistant coach Stephen Mangongo before the tea’s departure.
Zimbabwe are faced with a daunting task in their top order as they have to juggle with the available options in their opening partnership following the exclusion of experienced batsman Vusi Sibanda.
The coaching department will most likely use the warm-up match for this purpose.
Sibanda was left out of the selection because he contravened provisions of the Zimbabwe Cricket policy after missing the Stanbic T20 tournament to play grade cricket in Australia.
Tino Mawoyo is an obvious bet for the opening role but questions arise on who will partner him in facing the new ball, given the limited pool of players that Zimbabwe has.
Butcher could do the experiment with Hamilton Masakadza, Regis Chakabva or Brendan Taylor. While these players’ talents are unquestionable, the fact remains they are not comfortable opening the innings.
Stuart Matsikenyeri, who has worked his way back into the team, might also be given a run in the practice match to prove his mettle, given his good form in the domestic competition. Zimbabwe will need to polish up their bowling act with the return of Brian Vitori from a shin injury and they might also need to test their emerging players like Shingi Masakadza and Keegan Meth who are yet to make their Test debuts.
“We have a super attack and in these conditions they should be able to carry us through and on the batting front we also have a solid line-up.
“Guys like Elton (Chigumbura), Hami (Masakadza), Brendan Taylor and Tatenda Taibu have been in it for a long time and with them in our side we are not afraid.
“We just have to play to express ourselves,” said Mangongo
The Test match begins on Thursday and Zimbabwe will start as underdogs.
New Zealand currently sits on eighth position in the ICC Test tables while Zimbabwe are currently unranked as they have not played enough matches to get a ranking.
The three ODIs will be played between February 3-9 and Zimbabwe will then round off the tour with T20 matches on February 11 and 14.
Zimbabwe Squad
Brendan Taylor (captain), Regis Chakabva, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Keegan Meth, Forster Mutizwa, Raymond Price, Tatenda Taibu, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller