Kiwis bent on revenge against Zimbabwe

BLOEMFONTEIN: Skipper Stephen Fleming says his New Zealand cricket lineup is vastly improved since a 2-1 series loss to Zimbabwe two years ago, and is bent on revenge in today’s World Cup Super Six clash at Goodyear Park.

“We have advanced since they beat us,” Fleming said on the eve of the match,” and our players have developed a lot of experience.” New Zealand are a close-knit and very competitive allround one-day side, with explosive batsmen in Nathan Astle and Chris Cairns supported by line-and-length bowlers. The Kiwis are 16-7, with one no-result, in their 25 meetings with Zimbabwe since the 1987 World Cup, but haven’t played the Africans since the 2-1 loss at home in 2000-2001. And, on pitch in Bloemfontein that has been slower than the usual South African wickets, Zimbabwe will be more competitive than on a bouncy track. Both teams edged into the second round, Zimbabwe getting the benefit of a rain-enforced draw with Pakistan and New Zealand getting direct advantage of South Africa’s amazing tie with Sri Lanka on modified totals in a Durban downpour.

Working in New Zealand’s favour has been their improving form, which inspired a win over the West Indies and a nine-wicket victory over the South Africans at Wanderers. Zimbabwe’s batting relies heavily on the fine left-hander Andy Flower, and if he doesn’t fire, there is perhaps a lack of tenacity to push an innings toward higher totals. Flower, among the world’s top exponents of limited-overs cricket, needs a big score to guide his team to their first win over a top Test-playing nation in the tournament.  The Zimbabweans collected four free points against England, who refused to travel to Harare for their February 13 match due to safety concerns. “We can beat any Test team, we do believe we can beat these sides,” said Flower. “It’s up to us as the underdogs to upset them, but beating New Zealand last time certainly gives us a bit of a psychological edge.” Flower’s batting has been overshadowed by teammates Craig Wishart, who scored an undefeated 172 against Namibia, and Andy Blignaut, who smashed a 25-ball 50 off the Australian attack and a half century off 32 against the Netherlands.