Zimbabwe hopes to register first series win over Kiwis

THE last time New Zealand toured Zimbabwe, back in September of 1997, there was a strong feeling of expectation that this was the opportunity for the Zimbabwean cricket side to register not only their second Test victory, but more importantly, their first Test series win.

When the first Test gets underway later this week, it is worth noting that Zimbabwe has not had much luck against a side that might be bereft of any Steve Waughs, Lance Kluseners, Brian Laras nor the Shoaib Akhtars of Test cricket, but possesses great team spirit.

To borrow a term much used in soccer circles, New Zealand seem to be Zimbabwe's bogey side.

Well, one only needs to go back to that 1997 series to prove that.

Despite dominating proceedings in both Tests, the Zimbabweans, then led by Alistair Campbell, inexplicably fell just two wickets short of victory in both matches.

More frustration was in store for the hosts in the one-day international series, with the spoils evenly shared.

The first one dayer was drawn--a rare occurrence in limited overs cricket--with the second convincingly won by Zimbabwe, and the last going to the Kiwis. The Zimbabweans had let the New Zealanders off the hook, as they had the upper hand in all these matches, only to succumb when it looked easier to win than lose. After all, the tourists had brought a relatively young and inexperienced side that boasted of a handful of star quality players. Zimbabwe could not get past their indomitable team spirit.

If that 1997 series had been a frustrating one for the Zimbabweans, it at least came up with some memorable milestones.

Not least the fact that Dave Houghton unexpectedly chose the occasion to retire from international cricket.

Nor the dramatic debut of leg spinner, Adam Huckle, who became the first Zimbabwean cricketer to take more than 10 wickets in a Test. He ended up with 16 wickets in the two Test series.

Guy Whittall's brilliant unbeaten 203 at Bulawayo was another highlight.

Trivia buffs were also quick to note a remarkable world record when the Zimbabwean selectors had three pairs of brothers in the same team. Gavin and John Rennie, Andy and Grant Flower and Bryan and Paul Strang. Add to that the presence of Guy Whittall's cousin, Andy Whittall as twelfth man. However, as Zimbabwe go into the first Test on Tuesday, at Bulawayo's Queens Sports Club, some of the players who have been around the national team setup for a while, could be forgiven for wanting to forget the two nations' last series.

That was the reciprocal tour by Zimbabwe to New Zealand, in February 1998.

That tour saw Zimbabwe lose both Tests by large margins and not to mention the heavy losses they suffered in the one day series, which the Kiwis won 4-1.

They even managed to come up with a highly embarrassing innings defeat at the hands of the New Zealand A team.

It would not be an exaggeration to say this was possibly Zimbabwe's most disappointing tour in its nine year stint as a Test nation.