Bulawayo Test Preview

Not much fanfare, understandably, for NZ taking on Zimbabwe in the only test of the tour tomorrow. All the signs point to a high-scoring game, considering this is the same venue where the Zimbos successfully chased down 328 in the final one-dayer, which is rarely a good thing for a test match these days.

NZ are favourites and would be disappointed with anything less than a win, but I suspect it won't be that easy. Zimbabwe showed they could hold their own against Pakistan and Bangladesh, and they were less troubled by NZ's inexperienced attack as the limited overs games went by. Win the toss, bat first and give your bowlers enough runs to play with would be the mantra.

NEW ZEALAND: There is a fair amount of inexperience in the lineup which is why the Zimbos might fancy their chances on paper. The injury curse has left NZ short of options, and their first XI could have as many as three debutants. This has affected the bowling most - no Southee, no Mills, and McKay is a doubtful starter. Bracewell and perhaps Aldridge would be drafted in, and it could be a tough initiation for them. However Martin and Vettori have returned, which is just as well.

On the batting front, Guptill and Williamson are the only ones to have played any first-class cricket since last season. Ryder has injured himself yet again, and now with BJ Watling replacing him there is all sorts of conjecture about who will bat where. Dean Brownlie, a name which has intrigued me for more than a year now, has finally been given his chance. The rest of the guys enjoyed a decent outing in the warm-up game and can't really point to a lack of match-practice.

ZIMBABWE: Injury problems here too. Tatenda Taibu and Brian Vitori (instrumental in their success against Bangladesh) have been ruled out, while Elton Chigumbura is doubtful. However, the hero of the final ODI Malcolm Waller is in the lineup, and the rest of the batting pretty similar to the lineups we've seen so far on the tour. They managed to avoid a second-innings collapse against Bangladesh but succumbed against Pakistan, so how well the batsmen come through at the business end of the game could be critical.

The bowling attack looks to be Jarvis, Meth, Mpofu and Price which is pretty decent. But they struggled during the ODIs so will need every bit of help they can get from the pitch. Having the extra seamer in Chigumbura is a real bonus, though, in these conditions.

WATCH OUT FOR: Chris Martin, currently on 199 test wickets, and itching to leave his mark on what should be his final season in international cricket. Also opener Tino Mawoyo, who scored 163* in Zimbabwe's last test against the Pakistanis.