Seamers eye game in Reserve

The pitch has a green tinge and the rain should ensure a lively opening to the first Test in the two-match series. The New Zealanders are happy about the prospect of a lively pitch. "We’ll have another look tomorrow morning, but at this stage it doesn’t look as though it is going to dry out," Fleming opined.

Shayne O’Connor, Simon Doull, Chris Cairns and Nash are all proven wicket-takers at Test level, although Fleming has faith in his top order batting should he lose the toss.

Zimbabwe was disappointed but not surprised to learn the Basin Reserve pitch was green and damp, which will nothelp its spin bowlers Paul Strang, Adam Huckle and off-spinner Andy Whittall.

Coach David Houghton said Strang and Whittall would probably still play because the pitch should take turn later in the match.

Medium-pacer John Rennie will most likely come in for Huckle to share the seam bowling duties with former Hampshire professional Heath Streak and promising medium-pacer Mpumelelo Mbangwa.

The teams: New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Matt Horne, Bryan Young, Adam Parore, Craig McMillan, Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns, Dion Nash, Daniel Vettori, Simon Doull, Shayne O’Connor and Chris Harris.

Zimbabwe: Alistair Campbell (captain), Grant Flower, Gavin Rennie, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower, Guy Whittall, Paul Strang, Heath Streak, John Rennie, Adam Huckle, Mpumelelo Mbangwa and Andy Whittall.