Cricket: Vitori an unknown quantity

The Black Caps will look to build on their success across the Tasman when they take on Zimbabwe in the one-off test starting tomorrow. Photo / Getty Images

He's not tall, bearded and bespectacled but Zimbabwe left-arm seamer Brian Vitori has a similar last name to New Zealand's champion spin bowler and could be the ace in the deck for the African nation in this week's one off-test in Napier.

With only two tests to his name, compared to Daniel Vettori's 107, there is a vast difference in experience but, aside from the last name, they also share another thing in common.

Vettori was thrown on the first-class stage for Northern Districts at only 17 and Vitori debuted in domestic one-day cricket for his home province of Masvingo when just 15.

Vitori could cause the New Zealand batsmen trouble during the McLean Park test, which starts tomorrow as he showed during his startling entry to international cricket.

The 21-year-old claimed consecutive five-wicket hauls in his first two one-day internationals as he tore through Bangladesh in Harare last August.

His figures were hardly noteworthy in the tour match during the weekend against the New Zealand XI, as he bowled 13 no balls across two innings and claimed 1 for 90 from 22 overs.

But Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor confirmed Vitori would likely share the new ball with Kyle Jarvis this week and said Vitori had something extra about him.

"He's a young raw cricketer,'' Taylor said. "He's basically burst on the scene probably five or six months ago. He probably wasn't even playing first-class cricket [regularly] then.

"He's a real talent and a find for us. He came to the scene with two five-wicket hauls in consecutive matches against Bangladesh in one-day cricket so he's got a bit of pace about him, swings the ball nicely and he's an exciting prospect for us.''

With the McLean Park wicket expected to have a bit in it for the seamers on day one, Jarvis and Vitori's impact will be vital for the visitors if they win the toss and bowl first.

Taylor didn't want to spell it out, but hinted that with Vettori at No 6 for New Zealand they had a long tail.

BJ Watling, who will bat at seven, will be followed by Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Chris Martin and none average above 21 in first-class cricket.

"If I think there might be a slight weakness, [it] is maybe Dan coming in at No 6,'' Taylor said.

"But take nothing away from him. We know how well he can bat.

"Then again, they're probably going to go in [with] four seamers and a spinner and, in these conditions, that might suit them. That's going to be extremely tough for us, but they've got a very good top six batting line-up so our bowlers will have to hit the ground running and hit their areas.''