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Napier: Zimbabwe will approach its one-off Test against New Zealand from Thursday keenly aware that every international match it now plays strengthens or loosens its foothold in world cricket after a long and sometimes bitter exile.
The years that Zimbabwe spent on the sidelines of world cricket - a consequence of failing form and domestic political volatility - ended in August when they beat Bangladesh in a match that heralded its return to Test status.
Zimbabwe then strongly pressed New Zealand in a solitary Test in Bulawayo late last year, holding the upper hand until the final session when the young fast bowler Doug Bracewell bowled New Zealand to a 34-run win.
That performance and a strong hit-out in its warm-up match - a three-dayer against a composite XI containing several New Zealand test players - will send Zimbabwe into the test at McLean Park confident of a respectable display.
Coach Alan Butcher said Zimbabwe believed it could match New Zealand after it's recent experience at home.
Wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu, a relative veteran of 27 tests, said Zimbabwe was eager to re-establish itself as one of test cricket's earnest battlers.
Zimbabwe also meets a New Zealand team in a period of transition. It's test win over Australia in Hobart in December buoyed New Zealand's spirits, but the team that will face Zimbabwe will contain several changes from that side.
New Zealand needs a new wicketkeeper after Reece Young was dropped after a period of poor batting form and either BJ Watling, a specialist batsman, or Kruger van Vyk, an uncapped keeper, will fill that role.
Coach John Wright said he was "a fair way down the road" to deciding which would play _ most likely Watling after his top-score of 84 in the New Zealand XI's first innings in the warm-up match at Gisborne.
"Kruger's made a lot of sacrifices to try to make it into the national team ... so what we've got is a lot of internal competition between two great men," Wright added.
You've got to weigh up whether you're happy with B.J. doing the job or whether we give him more time and let Kruger have first opportunity.
Wright may attempt to strengthen New Zealand's sometimes fragile batting lineup by promoting Daniel Vettori from No. 8 to No. 6 in the order and incorporating a wicketkeeper such as Watling, who played six previous tests as an opening batsman.
The New Zealand players have mostly been involved in a domestic Twenty20 competition since the test series against Australia, but Wright is heartened that top-order batsmen Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill and Dean Brownlie have been in solid form.
On a seamer-friendly pitch, New Zealand are set to play four quicks with Daniel Vettori coming in at No. 6. That means Brownlie will be promoted a place and Kane Williamson gets an opportunity at No. 3 in Jesse Ryder's absence.
Teams from
New Zealand LRPL Taylor (captain), TA Boult, DAJ Bracewell, DG Brownlie, MJ Guptill, BB McCullum, CS Martin, TG Southee, CFK van Wyk (wk), DL Vettori, BJ Watling, SR Wells, KS Williamson
Zimbabwe BRM Taylor (captain), RW Chakabva (wk), E Chigumbura, AG Cremer, KM Jarvis, H Masakadza, SW Masakadza, S Matsikenyeri, TMK Mawoyo, KO Meth, F Mutizwa, RW Price, T Taibu (wk), P Utseya, BV Vitori, MN Waller
Pitch and Conditions
Napier has traditionally been a batsmen's pitch, with the last match between New Zealand and Pakistan playing out to a high-scoring draw in 2009. A wetter summer than normal should provide for bowler-friendly conditions. Napier is expected to be mild and sunny with the only possibility of rain forecast for the second afternoon.
Stats and Trivia
New Zealand have never won a Test match in Napier. Of the nine matches played there, seven have been draws with only England and Sri Lanka registering Test wins at McLean Park.
New Zealand and Zimbabwe have played against each other 14 times, with New Zealand winning eight and six draws. Three of the victories were by more than an innings.
Zimbabwe have only won two Tests away from home - in Peshawar against Pakistan in 1998 and in Chittagong against Bangladesh in 2001.
Match facts
January 26-30, 2012
Start time 1030 local (2130 GMT prev day)
