New Zealand will look to continue their dominance over Zimbabwe when the two teams play in the first of three ODIs at Dunedin.
Despite the seaming conditions, it was a poor show from the tourists and to be bowled out twice on the same day was nothing short of abysmal. New Zealand, who had piled on 495 in their first innings, then raked up their biggest win in history as they bowled Zimbabwe out for 51 and 143 on third day of the Test match.
The ODIs may promise much more for Zimbabwe but the moot point is that they need to improve by leaps and bounds. Despite the pitch being shorn of as much venom as the Test match, batting may not be as easy as it is on tracks back home and that is where the likes of Brendan Taylor will have a lot of work to do.
New Zealand go into the game without captain Ross Taylor, who was ruled out of the series with a calf injury. In his place, Brendon McCullum will lead the team, along with opening the innings. Zimbabwe will look to get McCullum out early enough or there are good chances he may dent the visitors hard.
The home side has selected the uncapped likes of Tom Latham, Michael Bates and Tarun Nethula in the squad but it remains to be seen whether they will get an opportunity to feature in the game.
Zimbabwean captain Taylor will want the experience of Hamilton Masakadza to bail him out of the batting quandary.
The New Zealand v Zimbabwe 1st ODI will be played on Thursday, February 2 at 10.00 pm GMT.
