New Zealand will look to complete a 3-0 whitewash of Zimbabwe as the two teams meet at Napier on Thursday.
The visitors have been woeful and about that there is no doubt. From being bowled out for 51 and 143 on the third day of the one-off Test to losing the next two ODIs by 90 and 141 runs, Zimbabwe haven’t come close to springing a surprise against an almost second-string Kiwi side.
New Zealand were a tad lackadaisical in their first ODI when they were shot out for 248 but the batting came back strongly in the second. Rob Nicol, who had earlier been dismissed for a duck in the first game, went on to get his second international century – converting it into a big 146.
Martin Guptill got his second successive 70 while Jacob Oram’s promotion to the number three position helped him get a half-century.
Zimbabwe looked like they were going down in a hurry as they lost five wickets for 62 chasing 373 for the win before the innings were resurrected by Tatenda Taibu and Elton Chigumbura. In the end, they managed to huff and puff to 231 in their 50 overs but that was not going to be enough.
What Zimbabwe need is to bat sensibly at the top of order and not allow the bowlers a free luxury of wickets. While good bowling could still get them out given their lack of experience away from home, they will do well to not dole the wickets away.
The selectors may also look to change things around at the top of the innings, with at least one of Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri or Regis Chakabva expected to lose their spot. It may not be a bad idea to get in Tino Mawoyo instead.
New Zealand will be favourites to easily make it 3-0.
The New Zealand v Zimbabwe 3rd ODI starts at 1 am GMT on February 9.
