New Zealand will want to put their disappointing defeat against Australia behind them, when they take on Zimbabwe in a Group A encounter at the Motera in Ahmedabad on Friday, March 4. The defeat came after a big win over Kenya in their opening game. Zimbabwe on the other hand go into this game after a big win over Canada.
New Zealand need to win this game if they want to make it to the next round. They are yet to play Sri Lanka and Pakistan, who have been the best team in the tournament so far. The manner of the defeat against Australia would have hurt them. However, they should be favorites to win this game.
This is a game that Zimbabwe need to win as well. The other top teams in this group are slightly better than New Zealand, and beating them is their best chance for that fourth spot in the group. The win against Canada should have given them a lot of confidence and their performance in the defeat against Australia wasn’t too bad either.
It will be interesting to watch how New Zealand play the Zimbabwean spinners. However, this game is a day game and that should help them a bit. New Zealand need the top order to click ahead of the big games. Even during the win against Kenya, the batsmen were not put to test as they chased a small total. This game should give them a good test, from Raymond Price in particular.
Zimbabwe too would want their openers to get some form. Charles Coventry has not been among the runs after his mammoth 194 against Bangladesh sometime back. He is due for a big score and his partner, Brendon Taylor, too hasn’t been among the runs.
This game is crucial for both the sides and should be an interesting one.