Zimbabwe seek ODI redemption
February 02, 2012 16:00:47 UK
The lowest-ranked Test nation, Zimbabwe, will look to bounce back from their biggest ever defeat when they face New Zealand in the first one-day international in Dunedin.
They could well face up to an unknown bowler in their three-match ODI series with the Black Caps.
Leg-spinner Tarun Nethula has been included in the Kiwis squad for the series that starts at Dunedin on Friday, having been born in Hyderabad before moving to New Zealand aged 11.
Nethula started his senior career with Auckland before switching to Central Districts.
Leg-spinners seem to be gaining popularity in the shorter forms of the game with Australia recalling veteran Brad Hogg to their T20 team and Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill doing well in the Big Bash competition.
As Nethula is a dozen years younger than any of those three he may hope for a long international career.
Zimbabwe are a proud side and the innings and 301-run Test thrashing in Napier will have hurt them badly and they are sure to fight harder in the shorter forms of the game.
New Zealand are 1.083 to win the first ODI, with Zimbabwe 8.00, while the Black Caps are 1.14 to secure a 3-0 series whitewash.
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