Zimbabwe and New Zealand Meet For the 18th Time in Test Cricket
Author: Tom Penn
Updated At:
It was a 254 run victory for New Zealand in Bulawayo, at the time the biggest win in terms of runs ever by the Black Caps, when they last took on Zimbabwe in Test cricket in August 2016.
Nine years on, the gulf between the sides may well have grown even larger and even without Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips and Kyle Jamieson, New Zealand are strong favourites across all of the top cricket betting sites to win this two-match series 2-0!
As ever, there are streams of Special Bets available for this opening Test in Bulawayo as Zimbabwe take the field in the format for the first time since nearly handing the World Record individual score to Wiaan Mulder whereas New Zealand, who will be captained by Mitchell Santner, have not played a Test since December last year!
Most Recent Head To Heads
Ten of the last 11 Test head to heads have been won by the Black Caps with each of the last six won by New Zealand, five of them at a canter!
| Year | Result | Margin |
| 2016 | New Zealand Win | 254 runs |
| 2016 | New Zealand Win | Innings and 117 runs |
| 2012 | New Zealand Win | Innings and 301 runs |
| 2011 | New Zeland Win | 34 runs |
| 2005 | New Zealand Win | Innings and 46 runs |
| 2005 | New Zealand Win | Innings and 294 runs |
What to expect in Bulawayo
This Test series may not be commanding the same level of attention as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England and many pundits are predicting a one-sided affair in both this and the second Test.
Sean Williams, who averages 48.07 from 43 Test innings, is likely to be the key batter for Zimbabwe with all-rounder Brian Bennett another with plenty of talent.
As for New Zealand, the likes of Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra and Will Young could well be looking to do what Wiaan Mulder elected not to do when this Test gets underway!
- New Zealand to win - 1.13
- Rachin Ravindra to be Player of the Match - 10.00
- Matt Henry to take 5+ wickets - 1.80
- Sean Williams to be Player of the Match - 19.00
- Blessing Muzarabani to be Player of the Match - 23.00
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