NZ unchanged for 2nd Test

New Zealand has retained the same line-up that destroyed Zimbabwe by an innings and 294 runs, while the home side have made a single change.

Zimbabwe has added all-rounder Andy Blignaut to their squad. Blignaut looks set to start after recovering from the flu, while left-arm spinner Keith Dabengwa may be included at the expense of Graeme Cremer.

Despite heavy criticism of the batsmen after being bowled out twice in one day, Zimbabwe coach Phil Simmons explained that there were simply no alternatives.

New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming said the side resisted to make any wholesale changes, as consistency of selection was important, especially in a winning side. Off-spinner Paul Wiseman was considered to play, as the Bulawayo pitch is likely to be slower and take more spin than Harare.

Fleming looks set to become the first New Zealander to reach 6,000 test runs. He enters the match just 15 runs short of the mark, after playing 95 tests.

Sri Lanka won the last test match played at Bulawayo by an innings and 200 runs.

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (c), Lou Vincent, James Marshall, Hamish Marshall, Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, James Franklin, Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum (wk), Shane Bond, Chris Martin.

Zimbabwe: (likely) Neil Ferreira, Brendan Taylor, Dion Ebrahim, Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Wishart, Stuart Carlisle, Tatenda Taibu (c/wk), Heath Streak, Andy Blignaut, Keith Dabengwa, Chris Mpofu.