6 Aug 2016

Black Caps unchanged for second test

1:56 pm on 6 August 2016

The Black Caps have named an unchanged line up for their second cricket test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo starting tonight, despite a number of players still recovering from sickness.

Ross Taylor batting during Day 2. Zimbabwe v New Zealand Black Caps, 1st Test at Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. 28 July - 1 August 2016.

The Black Caps in action against Zimbabwe in the first Test at Bulawayo. Photo: Photosport

New Zealand easily won the first test by an innings and 117 runs at the same ground on Monday morning, but a bug has since left several players under the weather.

Fast bowler Trent Boult said some of the players had lost their voices as a flu ripped through the team and support staff earlier in the week.

But the Black Caps wicket keeper BJ Watling said the worst is over, and the same team that won the first test will take to the field tonight.

"There's a little bug going around still, a few of the boys are just recovering from a bit of a flu-ey bug... but by all accounts I think everyone's pretty good and will be ready to go," he said.

Zimbabwe have made one change from the team that crumbled against the Black Caps in the first test.

The hosts will be without their most experienced player, the opening batsman Hamilton Masakadza, who has strained his lower back.

Masakadza will be replaced by the offspinner John Nyumbu.

It's a major blow to the hosts' already slim hopes. with the 32-year-old having 30 test appearances behind him.

But BJ Watling said the team is not expecting to push over the hosts so easily.

"I think Zimbabwe will defintely be a tougher task this time around," he said.

"I had a little look at the surface and it looks like it (the pitch) might be even slower and drier again, so we've just got to keep trying to improve in little areas."

The test is expected to get underway at the Queens Sports Club at 7.30pm.