Cricket: Success critical in 'final'

By RICHARD BOOCK

For contrasting reasons, tomorrow's one-day cricket international at Eden Park carries significant consequences for Zimbabwe and New Zealand.

The series is tied at 1-1, so a win to Zimbabwe would give the tourists their first overseas series win in ODI history, while a loss would leave them looking vulnerable in the lead-up to their limited-overs tournament in Australia.

On the other hand, New Zealand need to win to avoid their second consecutive series loss to the tourists, and to prove that Thursday night's impressive eight-wicket win in Wellington was no flash in the pan.

The home side have been at a low ebb since winning the ICC Knockout Trophy in Kenya, but showed signs of emerging from their slump during a much-improved effort in the second ODI at Wellington Stadium.

Not only did the opening batting combination strike some rare form, but young James Franklin showed encouraging composure at the bowling crease and Scott Styris impressed with bat and ball.

And although Chris Harris proved expensive for the second consecutive one day outing, New Zealand's bowling was shored up by Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan, who followed up their useful efforts at Taupo with another telling performance in Wellington.

New Zealand seem likely to include Paul Wiseman at the expense of Brooke Walker tomorrow, and may be tempted to retain Jacob Oram ahead of Chris Martin, leaving the new ball in the hands of Franklin and Styris.

Zimbabwe are also likely to make a change or two, with allrounder Dirk Viljoen - now recovered from injury - a possible replacement for Gus Mackay.

The tourists scored a comprehensive 70-run win over New Zealand in the opening one day match at Owen Delany Park, and are apparently confident they can bounce back from Thursday night's disappointment.

"We think we can win," captain Heath Streak said yesterday."We did at Taupo, and although we struggled in the second match we're looking forward to a hard, close encounter - which is always what you get when you play New Zealand."

Streak said tomorrow's match held significance for not just the Zimbabwe team but also the entire nation, which was closely following the side's efforts in New Zealand and was fully aware of the significance of the match.

He also believed it was important for Zimbabwe to be on a high from creating history as they prepared for their one-day competition in Australia. Zimbabwe head for the Carlton and United series on Monday.

"It's great for the players to be contesting a final with all the associated pressure, because we know that's what we'll have to cope with when we get to Australia," he said.

"We're a fledgling nation and because of that we've got to learn awfully quickly. But I think we're ready.

"The guys are in the right frame of mind and they're not overawed by the occasion. The big thing now is to take our chances and to make the most of the opportunity. Consistency is still a problem for us."

Chris Chris Cairns will be absent, his knee giving him further problems. He lasted only three overs in the opening one-dayer and missed the win in Wellington.

He has been scheduled for a major knee operation in April which will require a six-month recovery. That would remove him from tours of Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the middle of the year, but should have him ready for the trip to Australia at the end of the year.

Carins said: "The situation has been closely monitored and assessed by the travelling support team, but I need to be seen by specialists and this will happen as soon as possible."

Teams. -

New Zealand (from): Nathan Astle, Mathew Sinclair, Stephen Fleming (capt), Roger Twose, Craig McMillan, Adam Parore, Chris Harris, James Franklin, Brooke Walker, Jacob Oram, Paul Wiseman, Scott Styris, Chris Martin.

Zimbabwe (from): Trevor Madondo, Alistair Campbell, Stuart Carlisle, Andy Flower, Gavin Rennie, Guy Whittall, Doug Marillier, Heath Streak (capt), Travis Friend, Bryan Strang, Brian Murphy, Dirk Viljoen, Angus Mackay, Mluleki Nkala, Henry Olonga.