Editorial: Stage set for Caps to break duck

Zimbabwean cricket, has like the country, endured difficult times.

Having become the ninth test nation as recently as 1992, they established credibility through the likes of batsman Andy Flower (4794 runs at 51.94 average), at one point rated the best batsman in the world, and bowler Heath Streak (216 wickets at 28.14 runs per wicket).

Both are also their country's leading performers in the one-day game where victories have been gained against all the leading international nations.

At test level Zimbabwe have struggled, beating only Bangladesh, even more recently granted test status, five times, and Pakistan and India twice each over the past 19 years.

So the Black Caps start as favourites at Napier's McLean Park today for any number of reasons, even though they have not won a five-day encounter at the ground in 32 years of trying.

The recent victory against Australia in Hobart, where Hawke's Bay's Doug Bracewell starred with nine wickets, is one.

But the main one is the fact the current Zimbabwe lineup have limited experience of the long version of the game, the country having voluntarily been suspended from test cricket in late 2005 by its cricket board, with ICC encouragement. That followed poor performances caused by the resignation of several senior players. They only regained their test status in August of last year.

Prior to that suspension, the 2003 World Cup, jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and South Africa had been disrupted by the declining political situation in the country. England forfeited a match in the country, and Flower and fast bowler Henry Olonga wore black armbands "mourning the death of democracy" in Zimbabwe. Both were kicked out of the team and applied for political asylum.

The following year Streak was sacked as captain prompting a 14-player walkout in protest against political influence on the team.

Streak was later reinstated but the team could not recover form, or the game any sort of harmony.

But the current Black Caps and Zimbabwe are not unknown to each other having met in the African country late last year where

Ross Taylor's men scraped home, thanks in large part to a five-wicket bag by Bracewell. Today the two teams continue a history which has seen New Zealand win eight of 14 tests played between the two nations, with six drawn.

A ninth win, and a first test victory at McLean Park with Bracewell starring, would be the perfect hosting scenario.