Ramesh needs to prove himself

Sadagoppan Ramesh must be feeling the heat. The left-handed opener from Tamil Nadu is under pressure to perform and would be under keen observation during the first Test against Zimbabwe starting in Bulawayo on Thursday.After a poor performance in the tour-opener against Zimbabwe A,Ramesh did score 42 and 52 in the three-dayer against CFX Academy but his effort in the first innings in Harare was at best scratchy.The latest threat to his opener’s slot has come from his statemate Hemang Badani who made the best use of the opportunity provided to him in the match against CFX Academy.Badani, also a left-hander, scored an unbeaten 112 in the first innings and retired after making an attractive 35 in the second when he was tried as an opener.Badani is yet to play in a Test and should Ramesh not deliver the goods in the first Test, the team management might be inclined to let him make his debut in the second Test as an opener.Ramesh’s opening partner Shiv Sunder Das too failed in the tour-opener at Mutare with scores of 4 and 12 but learnt his lessons quickly, making a stylish unbeaten century against the Academy boys. By deciding not to field Das in the second innings, the team management has almost cleared his name for the first Test.Such is not the case with Ramesh though he is most likely to play the first Test during which his performance will be critically examined.Coach John Wright has a very clear mind regarding what he expects from his openers. “We need a bit of consistency in that position. I would be very happy if we could go to lunch with only one or two down in the first session,” he said. “Just get through this session and see the new ball off and we have got the middle order to take advantage of that situation.”Ramesh has generally struggled outside his off-stump and has this in-built habit of pushing at deliveries. On wickets with bounce and a bit of seam movement, it is suicidal. He also appears uncomfortable against short, rising balls. But Wright said he was not worried about his style as long as he delivered.”Everyone has his own style. At the end, it is runs on the board whichcount. If he has it on the board, he has done his job for the team. I am not the one to object. People can play their own game and as long as they are consistent in their own way, and have done their job, that’s okay,” he said.Ramesh has so far aggregated 1125 runs from 15 Tests and 29 innings at an average of 40.18. He has two centuries and seven fifties to his credit but in the three Tests this year he has tallied just 61 runs.His partner Das, who made his debut against Bangladesh last year, has 396 runs from six Tests averaging 39.60 with a hundred and two fifties.The two are just beginning to find their feet in Test cricket and share a good understanding between themselves, a factor which Ramesh emphasises is very important for opening partners.”Unlike any other batting pair in the team, the openers start their innings together all the time. They need to spend good time with each other to develop a good understanding. We are doing it and it is beginning to reflect in our batting,” says Ramesh.”We start with the basic advantage of a right and a left-handed opening pair. There is another advantage which comes with our batting techniques. While Das is defensive, I tend to go for my shots. It doesn’t allow bowlers to quite settle down.”Off the field too, the differences arising out of the different regions they come from, are fast disappearing. They had shared the room during the Kolkata Test against Australia earlier this year and Das says he is quite happy being together with Ramesh.Wright conceded it were still early days for the pair and they had been working very hard. “Both are very talented and are the ideal left and right-handed pair. Yet it is early days, particularly for Das. Ramesh has impressive performances but it will be important how he does overseas, particularly in South Africa and England where the ball moves around and that’s a bit of a challenge, for both of them.”Indeed, Ramesh should treat it as a warning, what with Badani breathing down his neck now. Badani has proved himself a dependable bat in the one-dayers and is waiting for an opportunity in the Tests. What is more, he can also roll over his wrists and is a brilliant close-in fielder, certainly an asset to a team that goes into a Test with only four frontline bowlers and is at best an average fielding side.

As much as Aaronson: Leeds star is now on borrowed time under Farke

After losing four Premier League games in a row, it was vital that Daniel Farke made changes to his Leeds United squad to give the side the best chance of survival.

The 3-2 defeat against Manchester City saw the German switch to a 3-5-2 formation, something which the side have stuck with in each of the last three outings.

The Whites have remained unbeaten in such fixtures, even claiming a thoroughly deserved 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Elland Road at the start of December.

Draws against Liverpool and Brentford have moved the club three points clear of the relegation zone, with their fate now firmly in their own hands going into the Christmas period.

However, it could well be the end for one player in Yorkshire, especially considering the lack of action he’s endured over the last couple of weeks amid the formation change.

Brenden Aaronson’s struggles under Farke in 2025/26

Brenden Aaronson generated huge excitement at Leeds back in the summer of 2022, after the Leeds hierarchy forked out a reported £25m for his signature.

The American international has now racked up over a century of appearances in the White of the club, but he’s massively fallen below expectations in many of his outings.

He’s racked up nine starts in England’s top-flight this campaign, but has failed to start in any game in which the manager has utilised the new 3-5-2 formation.

The 25-year-old has only featured for a total of 43 minutes across the last four matches, with all of his first-team action coming off of the substitutes bench.

Aaronson featured for just 17 minutes in the recent clash, completing just six passes and failing to complete any of the crosses he attempted – showcasing his struggles in forward areas.

He also lost 100% of the duels he entered, whilst also committing a foul, with his small frame arguably a luxury rather than a necessity in the club’s hunt for survival.

The midfielder’s time on the pitch is no doubt likely to continue declining over the coming months, which could potentially lead to a winter exit away from Yorkshire.

The Leeds star who could now be on borrowed time under Farke

After spending over £100m on new additions during the summer window, it was always going to be a case of numerous players from the promotion-winning campaign dropping down the pecking order.

Joel Piroe is arguably the biggest example, with the Dutchman ending the previous campaign on 19 goals – the highest of any player within England’s second tier.

However, he’s featured in just eight league games this season, with only two of which coming from a starting role, subsequently highlighting his decline in minutes throughout 2025/26.

The striker isn’t alone in that department, with central midfielder Ilia Gruev another player who has been unable to replicate his best form from the previous year.

The Bulgarian joined the Whites in a £5m deal from Werder Bremen in the summer of 2023, subsequently racking up 60 appearances in his first two years in Yorkshire.

Whilst he struggled with injuries last season, he still managed to make 25 league appearances in 2024/25 – even managing to register two assists in the process.

However, like Aaronson and Piroe, the investment in his position has made competition for places that little bit harder, with the manager still now opting with a three-man midfield.

The arrivals of Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff have only pushed Gruev further down the pecking order, as seen by his recent lack of action under Farke in the Premier League.

Ilia Gruev – PL stats (2025/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

8

Matches started

4

Minutes played

389

Duels won

3.7

Aerials won

33%

Dribbled past

1.2

Interceptions made

0.9

Chances created

0.4

Stats via FotMob

He’s only started four times to date, but has also made four substitute appearances in such time, subsequently taking his tally of minutes this season to just 389.

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It’s a huge contrast from the previous season, especially after the manager himself labelled the 25-year-old as a “top player” – but ultimately, Farke has to do what’s best for the club.

When Gruev has had the chance to impress, he’s often struggled to match expectations, as seen by his measly tally of just 3.7 duels won per 90 – subsequently ranking him in the bottom 18% of midfielders in the league.

Other tallies, like 0.4 chances created and 1.2 times dribbled past per 90, showcase his all-round struggles in England’s top-flight, with the manager no doubt making the right call in dropping Gruev.

With January on the horizon, it would be a surprise to no one if the Bulgarian international were to depart Elland Road in the hunt for more consistent first-team minutes.

He and Aaronson could well find themselves closer to the exit door in the coming months, with both players evidently not at the level required for success in the Premier League.

Leeds star is fast becoming their best bargain since Pablo Hernandez

Leeds have now stumbled across their best bargain since Pablo Hernandez in this exceptional performer at Elland Road.

ByKelan Sarson

Western Australia surge with big Rogers century

Western Australia 7 for 362 (Rogers 166, Marsh 53) v Victoria
Scorecard

Chris Rogers, who made his Test debut in Perth in January, punished Victoria with 166 on the first day at the WACA © Getty Images
 

Chris Rogers dominated Victoria on a warm opening day in Perth as the visitors’ decision to bowl first at the WACA backfired. The Bushrangers wanted early wickets in their push for an outright win to move away from New South Wales, who they will meet in the final, but Rogers punished them with 166 and the Warriors posted a commanding 7 for 362.Allan Wise captured the early wicket of Justin Langer for 14, but the pitch did not offer the bowlers much assistance and Rogers combined with Shaun Marsh in a partnership of 146 that set up the innings. Marsh edged behind to Shane Harwood for 53 before Rogers reached his 24th first-class century on the way to his highest score of the season.Bryce McGain, who is being mentioned as a national spin candidate after Brad Hogg’s retirement, struggled in his first six-over spell, which went for 28, but he returned to remove Rogers, who struck a full-toss to Cameron White at midwicket. Rogers’ heavy scoring included 26 fours and one six and he managed to operate at a strike-rate of 75.11 from his 221 balls.McGain struck again when, four balls after Andrew McDonald had Marcus North lbw for 42, he confused Luke Pomersbach (13) with a short ball and trapped him in front. He picked up 2 for 60 from 15 overs and out-bowled White, who went for 29 from four.Harwood’s second wicket came with his first delivery with the second new ball when Luke Ronchi drove to Brad Hodge at gully and the Warriors had lost 4 for 37. Adam Voges (27 not out) was out-scored by the bowler Steve Magoffin, who picked up 30 before slipping four overs before stumps.

Papps's 96 sets up intriguing finish

Scorecard

Michael Papps missed out on scoring centuries in each innings by four runs at Hamilton © Getty Images

The State Championship final between Canterbury and Northern Districts was intriguingly poised at the end of the fourth day at Hamilton with all four results still possible on the final day. Michael Papps struck 96 to lead Canterbury to 249 for 6 in the second innings before a declaration left Northern Districts with a target of 374. At stumps, they were 65 for 1, another 309 runs away from victory.Canterbury began the day on 19 for 2 with an overall lead of 143. Papps and Brandon Hiini added 96 for the third wcket before Hiini was caught off Bruce Martin for 30. Papps fell just four short of scoring hundreds in each innings when Martin breached his defences with the score on 166. Chris Harris rallied with an aggressive 54 off 64 balls to boost Canterbury to 249 for 6 before the declaration came.Northern began their chase of 374 cautiously. Bradley-John Watling played 26 balls for four runs before Hiini trapped him leg before. Brad Wilson and Alun Evans remained unbeaten on 22 and 24 to see Northern Districts through to stumps.

Silverwood joins Middlesex

Chris Silverwood leaves Yorkshire after 13 years with the club © Cricinfo Ltd

Chris Silverwood, the former England fast bowler, has been released from his contract with Yorkshire by mutual consent and has signed for Middlesex.Silverwood made his debut for Yorkshire in 1996 and was one of a battery of fast bowlers which the county produced in the late 1990s. Darren Gough, Ryan Sidebottom and Steve Kirby all learned their trade at Yorkshire but have since moved on, leaving the club worryingly bereft of experience in their pace attack.Yorkshire’s loss is Middlesex gain, however, and Silverwood will play a crucial role for the London club who themselves have lost a number of important fast bowlers in recent years.”We are very excited that Chris Silverwood has joined Middlesex,” John Emburey, Middlesex’s coach, told the club’s website. “He gives our bowling squad the aggression that we have lacked in recent years and his experience will be of huge benefit to the younger players on the fringe of the first eleven.”He is still ambitious and believes that a good season with Middlesex could lead to him getting back into the England side,” he added. “At 30 he still has several good years in him and he is looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Bangladesh include three uncapped players

Bangladesh have picked three uncapped players in their 16-man squad for the upcoming tour of England. Habibul Bashar has been retained as captain for the tour, in which they will play two Tests before competing in the one-day NatWest Series against England and Australia.Shahadat Hossain, the fast bowler, Shahriar Nafees Ahmed, a middle-order batsman, and Mushfiqur Rahim, the reserve wicketkeeper, were the three new players picked. The rest of the squad was on expected lines, with Mohammad Rafique and Enamul Haque junior picked as the main spinners.The naming of the squad came a day after Dav Whatmore signed a new deal that extended his contract by another two years, up to the 2007 World Cup. Faruque Ahmed, the chief selector, felt that Whatmore’s experiences with coaching Lancashire will hold the team in good stead during the trip: “The tour will be a tough experience for our boys because of the completely different conditions in England,” Ahmed told the Sky Sports website. “But we are now spirited by having our coach for another two years.”Bangladesh squad
Nafis Iqbal, Javed Omar, Habibul Bashar (capt), Mohammad Ashraful, Rajin Saleh, Aftab Ahmed, Khaled Mashud (wk), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shahriar Nafees Ahmed, Mohammad Rafique, Enamul Haque jr, Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Tapash Baisya, Anwar Hossain, Talha Zubair, Shahadat Hossain.

Cameron included in South Australian squad

Ben Cameron, the 23-year-old batsman, has been added to the South Australian squad for the Pura Cup match against Victoria at the MCG next week. With Andy Flower still unavailable because of a broken finger, Cameron was the only change to the side which lost outright to the Bushrangers at the Adelaide Oval.Cameron has been in good form for his club side Tea Tree Gully, scoring 448 runs this season at an average of 64. He has also scored 371 runs at 46 for the South Australian second XI. He comes into the squad to replace David Fitzgerald, who was omitted.A South Australian Cricket Association spokeswoman said recent x-rays on Flower’s injured finger showed the fracture had not completely healed. “The splint is expected to remain in place for up to a further two weeks,” she said.Squad Darren Lehmann (c), Shane Deitz, Greg Blewett, Ryan Harris, Ben Cameron, Graham Manou, Mark Cleary, Mick Miller, Mark Cosgrove, Paul Rofe, John Davison, Shaun Tait (12th man to be named).

Hampshire Rose Bowl is ready for investors

To say that cricket in this country tends to be a bit wary of change is to make one of the great understatements of all time. However, from the organisation of the national team down to grass roots level, changes are being made. One of the most radical is taking place on the south coast, where Hampshire are in the process of launching a public offer for investment in the company that operates its new ground – the Hampshire Rose Bowl.Chief executive Graham Walker feels that the investment opportunity will appeal to a wide spectrum from the hard-nosed businessman to the Hampshire cricket enthusiast who wants to take an active role in helping the club achieve it’s ambitions.”We know from talking to our own members that there is a significant level of interest in investing in the club,” he said. “Each of our existing 4,839 members is now a shareholder, but there is a preparedness by both existing members and potentially new members to become significant investors in the business going forward.”The actual investment will be in Rose Bowl PLC, of which Hampshire cricket is but one part. The business is more than just cricket, however. It includes the golf course, driving range, fitness centre, as well as a hospitality and outdoor event catering business which has just been acquired. The whole site consists of 150 acres, with some 40 acres available for additional commercial development, so it does have prospects.Walker is not looking for a bit of loose change here. “We’re hoping to raise £5 million, with a minimum of £2.4 million. We obviously did this after a great deal of consideration and we think it is the way forward. It allows us to accelerate our plans in terms of the development of the site as an international venue, and allows us to finish the job.”When the time is right, the company is likely to be floated. That will be a first for cricket, for although Durham formed as a limited company, like Hampshire, they are essentially a cricket club whereas Rose Bowl PLC will offer a much wider portfolio of interests. They are talking about a major leisure and entertainment venue with many attendant opportunities at the one venue.”Rose Bowl is more robust from that point of view, with the catering interest as well. That has already written a million pounds worth of business outside of the Rose Bowl complex at places like the Southampton Boat Show, polo at Windsor, rugby at Twickenham where we provide catering services.”One thing investors will be interested in as the background of those involved, and Walker is proud of a c.v. that includes ten years running the commercial marketing operation with the Football League, and more recently chief executive of Sale Sharks – the rugby club that he sold to new investors, and was commercial marketing director of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. So he is not exactly wanting in a track record.Coupled with chairman Rod Bransgrove’s successful business background, everything appears to be in place to give the project a good start. Certainly the confidence is there, and there is no consideration of failure. It is just that the success of this public offer will determine the pace at which the Rose Bowl project can be completed. Not whether it will or it won’t be completed, just when. It is the sort of confidence that should rub off on English cricket as a whole.The offer opens at 10 am on Monday, 4th March and is open until 31st March. For a prospectus and further details, contact Graham Walker at The Hampshire Rose Bowl, Botley Road, West End, Southampton SO30 3XH or telephone 023 8047 2002.

More blue times for labouring West Indians

Blue skies, blue hair, more blue times for West Indies. At stumps on the second day of the Fifth Test against Australia here at the Sydney Cricket Ground, anothermatch between these teams is beginning to carry an ominously lopsided look. At their first innings of scoreline of 4/284, the Australians have a twelve-run lead, havesix wickets in hand, and have the tourists looking down the barrel of more misery.The presence of those crisp blue skies, a warm reading on the thermometer, and the roll-up of another healthy crowd, all helped to put encouraging precursors inplace at the start of the day. When Colin ‘Funky’ Miller removed his cap in preparation to bowl the opening over – to reveal a head of Denis Rodman-style brightblue hair – there was no doubt that there would be plenty of early colour.Number eleven Courtney Walsh (4) joined with Colin Stuart (12) in typically inimitable style to survive twenty-five deliveries of probing spin from Miller (2/73) andStuart MacGill (7/104). And then, when the Australian reply began, Michael Slater (96) underlined the point that his batting is rarely dull either.Until he carved an unfortunate place for himself in the Test record books, Slater played a characteristically cavalier innings. He lost Matthew Hayden (3) and JustinLanger (20) early to edges outside the line of off stump. But typically and thrillingly, he was not discouraged and decided to live dangerously.He experienced a particularly good slice of fortune with his score at fifteen when Mahendra Nagamootoo was unable to hold an overhead catch at mid wicket after amistimed pull had been played at Walsh (1/60). He forced another stroke toward Wavell Hinds at cover on fifty-seven off Jimmy Adams (0/38) and that half-chancewas missed too. He also played a number of loose shots outside the line of off stump. He appeared to set off willingly for a single when Mark Waugh (22) eased astroke toward backward point, only to stop in his tracks and watch as his by now stranded partner failed to come anywhere near to beating a Sherwin Campbellreturn back to the striker’s end.But he then did what successful batsmen are told to do – capitalise upon their opponents’ corresponding misfortune. Some brutal shotmaking off both the front andback foot ensued, with his driving down the ground a particular feature. In the shadows of lunch, his aggressive play brought him the reward of a half-century. And,after the break, he looked inexorably headed for the fifteenth century of his Test career.Instead, another milestone came back to haunt him. Four short of raising three figures, he fixed his gaze upon an innocuous-looking, wide Nagamootoo leg breakand tried to hoist it over cover. He failed. Dismally. Without appropriate movement of the feet, the ball was instead planted high in the air toward point where MarlonSamuels completed a straight-forward catch. Slater’s frustration was palpable as he trudged dejectedly from the field.”To me, it was a full, lofted delivery that deserved to go to the boundary,” said a philosophical Slater.”It was there to go (at) and I’d been playing good, positive cricket all day. That, to me, was right in the groove … I thought it had ‘four’ written all over it.”To accentuate his annoyance, the dismissal allowed him to claim a share of a world record for the most nineties – nine in all – in a Test batting career. The nervousnineties have also been the final resting place for nine of Steve Waugh’s innings, but the current Australian captain has been undefeated on two of those occasions. Tothe extent that criteria for such a record can genuinely be said to exist, it is Slater who therefore now probably has the dubious honour of having his nose in front.West Indian Alvin Kallicharran is next ‘best’ with eight.”For me, I don’t look at the hundred as being ‘the bar’,” revealed the new record-holder.”No longer is one hundred satisfying enough for us (the batsmen in the Australian team) individually; we want to go on and make big hundreds to two hundreds.Ninety-six, to me, is just another figure. Whether it was 101 doesn’t mean a whole lot different to me. I would have been just as disappointed to get out at 101 and120 given that I was in and I should have gone on to get two hundred.”On a surface which continues to favour spin over pace, the West Indian slow men were bowling accurately at around this time. But, tellingly, they were also provinglargely ineffective. Nagamootoo enjoyed a moment of glory when Slater’s innings met its end. Otherwise, the batsmen were never under the same sense of watchfulobligation that MacGill and Miller had impelled in the strokemaking yesterday.There was still some sense of balance, and certainly some evidence of optimism in the West Indian camp, at the time of the pugnacious New South Welshman’s exit.If anything, Australia actually even looked a touch vulnerable at 4/157. But, from a West Indian point of view, the match assumed a far more colourless air after that.Perhaps the exertions involved in removing Slater contributed to a sense of weariness. Perhaps the haunting memory of Steve Waugh finding gaps at will in agenerally tightly set field in Melbourne last week was the major influence in encouraging Adams to revert to some overly defensive field settings. But whateverthe cause, the tourists laboured badly during the closing two hours of the day, conceding 127 runs to Waugh (82*) and Ricky Ponting (51*) in the course of anassociation for the fifth wicket that assumed crucial importance.The West Indians were unlucky in that two close decisions involving Waugh went against them. The first of these came in the form of a very close lbw appeal fromthe lionhearted Walsh when the Australian captain had only seven runs alongside his name. The second came a little later as he drove away from his body at anotherconventional Nagamootoo leg break which either took an outside edge or, as Umpire Darrell Hair ruled, merely spun viciously on its way to Brian Lara at slip.In an era in which even half-opportunities need to be converted against the Australians, they were the chances that got away.

Resurgent Zimbabwe seek series win

Match facts

Tuesday, August 4, 2015, Harare
Start time 09.00 local (07.00 GMT)3:27

‘We will look to improve on certain areas with the bat’ – Williamson

Big Picture

Zimbabwe’s rollicking chase in Sunday’s first ODI was the ideal start to the series. It heaped pressure on the favourites, New Zealand, and showed that the gap between the two sides, particularly in Zimbabwean conditions, wasn’t as wide as originally perceived.For New Zealand, the defeat revealed a possible lack of depth in bowling resources. While Tim Southee and Trent Boult are world-class new-ball operators in most parts of the world, Sunday’s second-string seam attack looked a little one-note and lacking in guile on a surface without too much help for the quicks. They will have learned a few things from the loss, though, and the second ODI is an opportunity for them to reveal a couple of new tricks.Otherwise, there isn’t too much wrong with this New Zealand side. Their batting is full of class and experience, and will test Zimbabwe’s bowlers again.Zimbabwe’s performance with the ball on Sunday – a good start with the new ball, a struggle for wickets in the middle overs, and a complete loss of control at the death – was a repeat of the pattern that has troubled them all year, and solutions still remain elusive. If anything, the exploits of Craig Ervine and Hamilton Masakadza deflected attention away from the issue.But the win validated the statement the team management has made on multiple occasions recently, that Zimbabwe are only a couple of steps from translating their potential into more consistent performances. On Sunday, their batsmen kept their heads, trusted their methods, and handled the crunch moments brilliantly. Zimbabwe’s fans will hope they can do all those things a lot more often.

Form guide

Zimbabwe: WLLLL
New Zealand: LLLWW

Players to watch

Having sat out the last two ODIs and the one-off T20 against India, Tinashe Panyangara slotted back into the Zimbabwe side and bowled with impressive control on Sunday. He moved the new ball, and bowled intelligent lines at the death even while the other bowlers leaked plenty. In a bowling attack that often lets teams off the hook after strong starts, there will be pressure on Panyangara to maintain his level of performance and keep New Zealand in check.Nathan McCullum was New Zealand’s only wicket-taker in the first ODI, and his dismissals of the Zimbabwe openers showed off his craft and guile perfectly. He will want more support from the rest of the attack, but he will continue to shoulder a large part of the wicket-taking burden on a Harare surface that always has something in it for the spinners.

Team news

Christopher Mpofu went for 84 from his 10 overs in the first ODI, and his place in the Zimbabwe attack might be under threat from Neville Madziva, who picked up six wickets in two ODIs against India.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Chamu Chibhabha, 2 Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Craig Ervine, 4 Elton Chigumbura (capt), 5 Sean Williams, 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Regis Chakabva, 8 Graeme Cremer, 9 Prosper Utseya , 10 Tinashe Panyangara, 11 Christopher Mpofu/Neville MadzivaJames Neesham’s seam-up looked ineffective in the first ODI, and while his batting is his primary skill, New Zealand might be tempted to go with an extra spin option and choose George Worker ahead of him. Matt Henry looked out of rhythm too, and Adam Milne could take his place.New Zealand (probable): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 James Neesham/George Worker, 7 Luke Ronchi, 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Mitchell McClenaghan, 10 Matt Henry/Adam Milne, 11 Ish Sodhi

Stats and trivia

  • Martin Guptill needs 56 runs to become the tenth New Zealander to make 4000 ODI runs
  • Four Zimbabwe batsmen likely to play the second ODI – Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine – have 40-plus averages this year. Of the four, only Chibhabha has a strike rate below 100
  • Elton Chigumbura is three big hits away from becoming the first Zimbabwe batsman to 100 ODI sixes
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