After decimating Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the first Test in Bulawayo, New Zealand is under no pressure going into the second Test. The Kiwis were well-structured all round, leaving Zimbabwe feeling okay; a sharp class distinction was very obvious. The Black Caps will want to stick to their winning formula, considering this is a series decider, but we suspect there might be a few tactical changes. Below, we think we have New Zealand’s predicted XI for the second Test.
Openers
Will Young and Devon Conway formed the opening pair for New Zealand in the first Test, and they are likely to do the same in the second Test. Young showed intent early in his innings and played a composed 41 in the first innings – important runs, laying a platform for the middle order. He did not get much to do in the second dig, but his technique and temperament looked sound.
Conway was arguably the anchor of the batting line-up. Top scoring with a patient 88 helped Conway build a vital 158 with Nicholls and Mitchell in a huge partnership. The best player to absorb pressure and rotate strike would be him against Zimbabwe’s mediocre pacers. There was a rare failure in the second innings (getting out cheaply for 4), but Conway’s right now is too valuable with experience and form.
Middle Order
Henry Nicholls shifted into the middle order and provided a good contribution with his 34 in the first. While not dazzling, he was able to stem the initial flow with the loss of the two openers, and when he needed to, he demonstrated a lot of guts. He looks very comfortable in the Test-match arena, and on this basis alone, he should stay at 3 or 4.
Daryl Mitchell was the best of the middle order. He started very slowly, but started to slot into his innings perfectly, finishing with a nice 80. He combined aggression with a grown-up aggressiveness. His innings seemed to safeguard the New Zealanders to a decent enough score to put Zimbabwe utterly out of the game.
All-Rounders
Mitchell Santner’s impact went beyond captaincy, as he excelled with both the bat and ball. He scored just 19 in the first, but made his mark with the ball: taking 4 wickets in the second innings, which all but completely broke Zimbabwe’s lower order. Santner’s left-arm spin was tight, probing, and suited perfectly to Bulawayo’s surface, which usually presents some turn late in the innings.
Smith made an immediate impact on debut—claiming three wickets early on and adding a determined 22 runs before retiring hurt. If he can play, he strengthens the depth of both departments. Smith is the ideal seam-bowling all-rounder to support the key pace attack and provides an injection of energy to the eleven.
Bowlers
Matt Henry was unstoppable in the first Test, with figures of 6/39 and 3/51 with the ball across both innings. Henry was named Player of the Match. Henry smashed through Zimbabwe’s top order with relentless pace, accuracy, and exceptional movement off the seam. Henry’s early striking ability and ability to extract bounce on any pitch make him New Zealand’s most dangerous bowler.
Will O’Rourke may not have taken wickets in the first innings, but he made a very solid comeback in the second innings to get 3 wickets and exert pressure with a fast spell. A tall, fast, and economical bowler gives New Zealand’s pace unit some variety and real teeth, as well as supporting Henry, who bowls a similar method.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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