Zimbabwe looking to open their account as they tackle Kiwis on Friday
Zimbabwe v New Zealand | 3rd T20I | 18 July | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 1:00pm
New Zealand and Zimbabwe have not faced each other in a T20I since 2015.
New Zealand and Zimbabwe have played each other five times in T20Is, and New Zealand have won each of those games.
Heading into Friday’s encounter New Zealand is the only side in the competition who are unbeaten.
The format for this T20I tri-series sees sides play each other twice, before the top two square-off in a final.
New Zealand was without several key players for their opening win against South Africa with Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra all late in joining up with the squad following their duties in Major League Cricket. They are now back with the team and in contention to play.
Despite the return of their US-based stars this Black Caps team is still without a number of key first-choice players. There is no Kane Williamson as he is currently playing County Cricket for Middlesex while quick bowlers Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears are out for a variety of different reasons.
Neither sides’ skipper has won the toss thus far in the tournament with South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen winning it in both matches.
Venue: Harare Sports Club
The average score batting first at the Harare Sports Club is 151 while the average score batting second is 133.
The side batting first at Harare Sports Club wins more frequently with 35 wins for the side batting first and 25 for the side batting second.
The highest score at the venue is 234 for two made by India against Zimbabwe in 2024.
The highest score successfully chased is 194 for five, made by Bangladesh against Zimbabwe in 2021.
South Africa have played just one T20I at this venue – the series opener against Zimbabwe on Monday. They won the game by five wickets.
New Zealand has an excellent record at the venue and have never lost at the ground. They have played four T20Is at the venue, winning all of them.
From the 62 T20Is played at the venue the side that has won the toss has won 29 times while the side that has lost the toss has won 23.
Weather:
It looks like it will be a perfect day for cricket in Harare on Friday. It will be sunny and warm, but not too warm. The temperature will reach a high of 23 degrees the wind will be mild and there shouldn’t be a cloud in the sky – so no chance of rain. In short, it’s another perfect day for cricket.
Form (most recent game first):
Zimbabwe: L, NR, W, NR, L.
New Zealand: W, W, W, L, W
Key player:
Zimbabwe, Brian Bennett: He may be young, but Bennett is a class act and a dynamic batsman across all formats. He made 30 in eth series opener against South Africa, but importantly he comes into the game on the back of some solid form – which includes a Test century against England. He suffered a concussion in the first Test against South Africa, but that is in the past and he will be looking to attack from the top of the order as Zimbabwe seek to open their account in the competition.
New Zealand, Jimmy Neesham: The Kiwi allrounder hasn’t been hugely productive with the bat in recent outings (he made a duck against Sout Africa on Wednesday), but he has been steady with the ball and electric in the field. Sometimes the feel-good factor of one discipline can trigger success in another area and if anyone is primed to see that happen it is Neesham. Batting in the middle order he is unlikely to bag a century, but he has the ability to influence the game considerably and he is due a good knock – watch out for him.
Verdict: New Zealand
Zimbabwe is not a bad team, but they are not in the same league as their opponents in this series. They have what it takes to cause an upset, but it won’t be on Friday against a New Zealand side that should be closer to full-strength than the unit that did duty against South Africa on Wednesday. The Black Caps simply have too much depth and too much experience and they should continue
