Cricket: Test hopefuls given a chance to shine

Set aside the elephant in the corner of the New Zealand XI dressing room and there are several points of interest out of Zimbabwe's first tour match, starting in Gisborne today.

The three-dayer will be 12-a-side, so therefore not of first-class status, but enabling the tourists to get an extra specialist into work before the test in Napier next week, and allowing all 12 selection players to have a run.

Forget the vexed issue of the test wicketkeeping job - BJ Watling has the gloves this weekend and needs a top game to hold off Kruger van Wyk, who plays purely as an opening batsman in Gisborne - several players can make a statement in front of national coach and selector John Wright.

Take legspinner Tarun Nethula. That banging noise around New Zealand cricket of late is the thumping of drums for another spinner to show his potential worth as a future test player.

Nethula, formerly of Auckland, now at Central Districts, has good numbers, gives the ball a decent rip and has his chance.

Then there's Neil Wagner, Pretoria-born but eligible for New Zealand in time for their next overseas tour to the West Indies in mid-year.

His strong numbers speak for themselves. Zimbabwe's batting may be no better than some provincial lineups, but in mental terms it is a step up for the lively left-armer.

With several players vying for seam bowling spots, this won't be a good time to have an off-game.

Now consider Michael Bracewell. The 20-year-old opener from Otago, former national youth international and the latest and youngest of the Bracewell dynasty to play first-class cricket, has averaged 41.0 from six first-class games. Lefthand openers are near and dear to Wright's heart, Bracewell is not in Gisborne for his health so his progress in the next year will be worth monitoring.

Zimbabwe need to get as much as possible out of their only test leadup. Captain Brendan Taylor is well known to the New Zealanders, did well against them late last year at home, and has just completed a T20 stint with Wellington.

Other batsmen, including Hamilton Mazakadza, Malcolm Waller, Tatenda Taibu and opener Tinotenda Mawoyo, need to hit the ground runningbut perhaps most interest will focus on left arm new ball bowler Brian Vitori.

The lively 21-year-old took five wickets in his test debut against Bangladesh in August, took five more in each of his first two ODIs against the same opponents, but didn't play against New Zealand due to injury.

Zimbabwe coach Alan Butcher spotted his potential and, under the guidance of Butcher's old Surrey teammate Monte Lynch, his diet is smarter and he's fitter and sharper.

"He hadn't really been handled all that well but suddenly halfway through [last year] he started to produce some good results," Butcher said. "He had a fairytale start against Bangladesh. He's had a few injury problems but he's now back to full fitness, and hopefully he will prove a handful."