New Zealand v Zimbabwe - 1st & only test preview

In the midst of all the quality action that takes place for 12 hours a day – for those of us who follow cricket through the night and into the day thanks to Australia and England taking on India and Pakistan respectively – it would be easy to forget that a third test match is now starting between New Zealand and Zimbabwe, which is a crucial match for both sides.

The hosts will be buoyed by their fantastic win in Hobart, where an extraordinary spell from Doug Bracewell saw New Zealand gain a 1^st win in Australia since 1985, while the visitors are slowly rebuilding back into the Test fold, having pushed them all the way in Bulawayo before New Zealand scraped through by 34 runs.

New Zealand – tactically, one assumes – are playing Zimbabwe at Napier, where they haven’t won in 10 years, although seven of the 9 tests there have been drawn.  The home side should win but ¼ is far too short and Zimbabwe, for all that victory seems unlikely, have shown some solid form of late, performing respectably in Gisbourne in a 3 day draw.

Regis Chakabva led the way with 84 there, ending a barren run of low scores in 20/20 games for the Mashonaland Eagles, and he was backed up by middle order, which is encouraging to see for any developing test nation. Based on the one recent game, odds of 12/1 are big on him topscoring with the bat, although he’s struggled for consistency before this.

Indeed, in a series with runscorers few and far between Dean Brownlie would have made lots of appeal for an over/under runline but Ladbrokes only have him quoted in the top runscorer market, and 7’s isn’t quite as tempting as one would like.

Daniel Vettori made enough runs (113) in the two tests against Australia to think that he could make a few here, while his warm up knocks suggests some decent form (he has 49 and 41 against Zimbabwe so far). That, along with the fact that he averages 55 at the ground, makes the 5/6 he can make 29 or more runs in the innings worth taking.

A seamer assisted pitch may also be in the offing, which should mean plenty of wickets for the likes of Trent Boult, Time Southee, Chris Martin & Doug Bracewell. The latter, who has recent figures of 2/39, 2/46, 1/44, & 3/89 in tests, is a 4/1 with Skybet to be the top bowler, and those figures look well worth taking, along with the 4/6 that he can outdo Trent Bolt.

Advice

3 pts Doug Bracewell to take more wickets than Trent Boult (4/6 Hills)

1 pt Doug Bracewell to be the top 1^st innings wicket take (4/1 Skybet)

2 pts Daniel Vettori to score 29 or more runs (5/6 Ladbrokes)