New Zealand v Zimbabwe World Cup Warm-up match, Prediction & Betting Tips

Team New Zealand has excelled in all versions of the game during the recent season and has overpowered the strong units like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They drew the three away Test Series against Pakistan at 1-1 and went on to win the five match One Day Internationals 3-2. The Black Caps maintained their form after returning home, defeated Sri Lanka in two Tests at 2-0 and currently leading the seven game ODI series with a margin of 4-1.

Zimbabwe toured Bangladesh in November-December, 2014, took part in three Tests and five ODIs. The Bengal Tigers humiliated them while clinching the Test series 3-0, won all five ODIs by a good margin and the visitors were found stranded almost in all departments of the game. The Kiwis will take over Zimbabwe in their first warm-up match which might turn out to be a one sided affair at the end.

Players to watch

Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum, Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi are batting superbly and are playing best cricket of their time. Martin Guptill and Tom Latham can get back their form anytime while Grant Elliott is a class all-rounder. Their strong bowling attack comprises Mitchell McClenaghan, Trent Boult, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Tim Southee and Daniel Vettori.

Elton Chigumbura, Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Sikandar Raza, Craig Ervine and Regis Chakabva are the main batsmen of Zimbabwe and they tried to make an impact on the last tour of Bangladesh. Their bowling will revolve around Tinashe Panyangara, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Tendai Chatara, Prosper Utseya, Tawanda Mupariwa and Stuart Matsikenyeri.

Time & Venue

Monday, February 9, 2015 @ 22:00 GMT (previous day), 11:00 local at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln.

Weather

An ideal weather for the game, having bright sunshine with the temperatures around 11-26ᵒC.

Toss

The winner will prefer to bat first.

The Pitch

The surface will have pace with bounce and an entertaining match can be witnessed.

Teams

New Zealand –  (From) Brendon McCullum (C), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Tom Latham, Luke Ronchi, Corey Anderson, Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Adam Milne.

Zimbabwe – (From) Elton Chigumbura (C), Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Solomom Mire, Tawanda Mupariwa, Tinashe Panyangara, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Sean Williams.

Prediction

New Zealand will be the clear favourites to win the encounter.