*Official* Match 18 - New Zealand v Zimbabwe

[James]

New Zealand v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 4
Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad
04:00 GMT | 09:30 local | 15:00 EST | 14:30 CST | 12:00 WST

New Zealand Squad

Daniel Vettori (captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum (wicketkeeper), Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock

Zimbabwe Squad

Elton Chigumbura (captain), Regis Chakabva, Charles Coventry, Graeme Cremer, Terry Duffin, Craig Ervine, Greg Lamb, Shingirai Masakadza, Chris Mpofu, Tinashe Panyangara, Ray Price, Tatenda Taibu (wicketkeeper), Brendan Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Sean Williams

 

[Flem274*]

I honestly think Zimbabwe will win this. NZ start as favourites obviously, but we aren't good against spin and the batsmen are in awful form. Doesn't help we're randomly dropping our best bowler either, and if Mills is fit to play and doesn't this match I'll be spitting. We're in a **** patch, and Zimbabwe have a golden opportunity to pounce.

 

[Bahnz]

Go Zim! I still remember occasionally bowling to Brendan Taylor on saturday mornings at the Harare Sports club.

My prediction:

Zim 186 ao
Nzl 187/6 (48 overs)

 

[Days of Grace]

Have a feeling one of the top 3 will play a blinder of an innings before going back to **** for the rest of the tournament.

 

[TT Boy]

Unfortunately I can see NZ winning and winning well. Bangladesh whitewash aside, they are up there with Sri Lanka as being the most ruthless of minnow bashes.

Elton needs a few runs, no longer trusts his own bowling and he isn't good enough to bat top six. From what I've read Price will be watched out and NZ will target everyone else.

 

[BeeGee]

This game could very well decide the fourth place qualifier from this group.

On paper NZ should win but, on form, it could be a very close game.

I hope NZ win, if only to lift their confidence.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Even though NZ have been dire of late, the still should win this one.

NZ's problem are all mental, and when they playing minnows there is no pressure.

 

[Mike5181]

New Zealand- 60% confident
Zimbabwe- 40% confident

 

[Howe_zat]

I seriously doubt Zimbabwe have the batting to pile on the runs here. It'd take a hefty collapse from the Kiwis to lose. Obviously that's not out of the question.

 

[Athlai]

This game should be decided in the first 10 overs of our innings, if we're 3 down we'll probably choke (unless we bowl first and get them for under 150).

No faith in our batting order after an early falter.

 

[cricman]

This game should be decided in the first 10 overs of our innings, if we're 3 down we'll probably choke (unless we bowl first and get them for under 150).

No faith in our batting order after an early falter.

Dan will score a century if he has too

Wouldn't surprise me tho If Zim win with their spin

 

[Flem274*]

I'm sort of hoping we lose tbh with an epic batting collapse. Our batsmen need a big boot in the backside when it comes to ODIs.

I can't believe I trust the test batting more than the ODI batting.

 

[Smudge]

Definitely weighing up the $5 for the Zimbos at the TAB.

 

[_Ed_]

I am actually nervous.

(Saying that did the trick against Kenya)

 

[Himannv]

Zimbabwe to win this one and contribute to the elimination of Sri Lanka.

 

[vcs]

Zimbabwe to win this one and contribute to the elimination of Sri Lanka.

At the expense of?

 

[Himannv]

At the expense of?

My pride and dignity.

 

[cnerd123]

Elton needs a few runs, no longer trusts his own bowling and he isn't good enough to bat top six. From what I've read Price will be watched out and NZ will target everyone else.

I've been wondering about this. Has he just stopped bowling because he doesn't feel like it anymore? Because he's barely scoring enough runs to justify his spot as a batsman.

Should be an interesting game given the manner with which Zim dismantled Kenya. Looking forward to this.

 

[Chubb]

So psyched for this one. As much as I don't want NZ to lose, I want Zimbabwe to win. I feel so conflicted. But it's awesome. Zim have a real chance.

 

[Howsie]

Black Caps looking to restore pride | Stuff.co.nz

Both of them [Oram and Mills] will have a chance of making the XI," Vettori said. "I think Jake is probably a foregone conclusion but we've got to work out the balance of our seamers and we've got to realise what a good bowler Kyle has been for us over time. Now he's fully fit it will be difficult to leave him out."

Another shock selection could be the inclusion of Williamson at the expense of James Franklin. Williamson has scored a one-day century on the subcontinent [against Bangladesh in October], has trained well this week and is comfortable facing spin

Interesting.