The "New" Zealanders

There's a funny little series going on between New Zealand and Zimbabwe at the moment. I doubt if most of the cricketing world are aware, and those who are, probably couldn't care less.

This has much to do with it being overshadowed by everything from England's subcontinental failings to the preparations for the Bangladesh Premier League. Also, the not not insignificant fact that Zimbabwe have failed to turn up all tour thus far. (Cue Zimbabwean revenge in tomorrow's game)

For my part, it's been a struggle to keep up. New Zealand's international duties are few and far between, so I usually keep my best couch potato impression ready. But this series has been the exception, thanks to: 1) zero coverage on Indian TV, despite there being no less than four sports channels, and a further three dedicated to cricket alone. 2) having to rely on dodgy internet streams with low buffering rates 3) the fact that all these games start in the bloody daytime, or 2:30 in the morning here.

Adding to the almost surreal feel of this series is the realisation that the New Zealand side is almost unrecognisable from what it was around a year ago. So who are all these new players, and how many of them will turn out against South Africa? Here's a quick attempt to recap:

Michael Bates: Left arm pacer who comes across as nothing special. But his performances in the Champions League last year were pretty good, where he bowled really well at the death.

Tom Latham: Left hander who's barely played a season's worth for Canterbury and barely out of his teens. Scored 48 off 28 in the previous game so perhaps worth keeping an eye on. He also keeps wicket, and so is the latest in a ridiculously long queue of NZ wicketkeeper-batsmen. 1992 World Cup aficionados might remember his dad Rod.

Andrew Ellis: "Useful" lower order batsman and medium quick. 'Cause God knows, NZ haven't produced enough of those.

Dean Brownlie: Not a newcomer any more really, we've seen him offer stiff resistance to his old countrymen back in Australia. After two ODIs, he's joined the injury bandwagon.

Tarun Nethula: Rarest of the rare - a kiwi legspinner who was born in India (Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, to be exact). I'm already hoping on behalf of this guy.

Colin de Grandhomme: Big-hitting allrounder who's moved over from, ahem, Zimbabwe.

With a decidedly multi-cultural lineup these days (assuming Grant Elliott returns, or Neil Wagner or Kruger van Wyk also turn out soon) it's a wonder that England aren't pointing the finger at NZ everytime the jokes about imports are rolled out. Oh wait, no one is actually watching.