Wisden
Tour review

Zimbabwe v New Zealand, 2015-16

Austin Karonga

One-day internationals (3): Zimbabwe 1, New Zealand 2 Twenty international (1): Zimbabwe 0, New Zealand 1
After warming up with some strong displays against India - including a share of the Twenty20 games - Zimbabwe harboured hopes of a first one-day series victory over a Test-playing nation other than Bangladesh for more than 14 years. New Zealand were lacking Brendon McCullum, who was given the tour off, as well as their usual new-ball pair of Trent Boult (back trouble) and Tim Southee (rested); they also lost Ross Taylor to a groin injury after the second one-dayer. And the alarm bells were ringing when Zimbabwe chased down 304 to win the first 50-over game, thanks to a superb maiden one-day century from Craig Ervine.

After that, though, Zimbabwe's old frailties resurfaced. Although Hamilton Masakadza and Chamu Chibhabha formed a useful opening partnership, the middle order was less cohesive, the bowling unpenetrative, and the fielding fallible. In the second ODI, Zimbabwe were 146 for eight before a determined century from Sikandar Raza dragged them to a reasonable total - but New Zealand's openers knocked off their target as Martin Guptill and Tom Latham both scored unbeaten hundreds. Then, after another bright start to their chase in the decider, Zimbabwe fell away - a disappointment after a better display of out-cricket had restricted New Zealand to 273. The solitary Twenty20 game was one-sided. Kane Williamson cut an impressive figure standing in as New Zealand's captain, making 97 and 90 in his two one-day innings.

Match reports for

Tour Match: North West v New Zealanders at Pretoria, Jul 27, 2015
Scorecard

Tour Match: North West v New Zealanders at Pretoria, Jul 28, 2015
Scorecard

1st ODI: Zimbabwe v New Zealand at Harare, Aug 2, 2015
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2nd ODI: Zimbabwe v New Zealand at Harare, Aug 4, 2015
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3rd ODI: Zimbabwe v New Zealand at Harare, Aug 7, 2015
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Only T20I: Zimbabwe v New Zealand at Harare, Aug 9, 2015
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1st T20I: South Africa v New Zealand at Durban, Aug 14, 2015
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2nd T20I: South Africa v New Zealand at Centurion, Aug 16, 2015
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1st ODI: South Africa v New Zealand at Centurion, Aug 19, 2015
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2nd ODI: South Africa v New Zealand at Potchefstroom, Aug 23, 2015
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3rd ODI: South Africa v New Zealand at Durban, Aug 26, 2015
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