Hesson urges batsmen to ‘commit to plans’ in Zimbabwe

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has said that bowling Zimbabwe out twice on what is expected to be a slow and low Bulawayo surface will be a challenge ahead of his side’s two-Test tour. Hesson stated that both batsmen and bowlers would have to show patience to get the better of the home team.

“In Bulawayo, we are expecting something that’s going to be slow and not a heck of a lot of bounce, so taking 20 wickets will be a challenge,” Hesson said after the team’s arrival in Harare, where they are currently playing a three-day warm-up match before heading to Bulawayo. “Zimbabwe’s bowling attack is very disciplined, so from a batting point of view, it’s about committing to your plans over a long period of time.”

With little assistance for seamers and spinners, and scoring rates likely to be curbed as well, frustration may prove to be the most effective wicket-taker in the series. But New Zealand have several other options – an attack that will be led by Tim Southee and Doug Bracewell, has Neil Wagner and Matt Henry backing up, and includes spin options as well. With an offspinner in Mark Craig and two legspinners in their arsenal – Ish Sodhi and the uncapped Jeet Raval – New Zealand will aim …

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