Ellis and Latham both showed composure and organisation and, while the skill of Zimbabwe does not represent a step up from provincial level, they still had to operate under the mental duress of an international debut.
While I'm hoping Zimbabwe are able to lift their game and provide more competition, I also feel it is important for the Black Caps to seek the perfect performance - which is on the cards against such opposition. In Dunedin they got into situations to post a really big total but lost wickets at poor times, and I'm sure they would have felt 248 was 40 shy of what they set themselves up for.
Losing two early wickets happens and Guptill and Kane Williamson rebuilt and batted them back into a position of dominance in fine style.
However, just when they had Zimbabwe heads dropping, they got out in soft fashion. Ellis and Latham then repositioned for a big finish but both failed to carry the innings through to the finish it should have had. Instead they were forced into taking the power play in less than ideal shape for it and limped through the final 10 overs.
That said, how can you criticise a 90-run win? Well, you can, because if Zimbabwe can't test our cricketers they have to test themselves and hold themselves to higher standards.
This season has not taken off yet and the game of cricket has not been truly promoted since that final day in Hobart - which means when South Africa arrive, the stakes go up dramatically.
A poor performance against South Africa will kill off a season that has been flat-lining somewhat during the home schedule, but if they stand up against the African powerhouse we will enter the rugby season feeling good about cricket.
