Zimbabwe vs. New Zealand, 1st ODI: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info, Preview

New Zealand will play a one-day game in Zimbabwe for the first time since 2011 when the two nations meet  in Harare on Sunday.

The Black Caps are led by Kane Williamson on a tour that will see them play a three-match ODI series and a one-off Twenty20 fixture.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be hoping an understrength touring squad gives them a chance to reverse a miserable recent run of form—they have lost their last nine completed 50-over matches.

Date: Sunday, August 2, 2015

Start time: 9 a.m. local time/8 a.m. BST

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe

Live stream and TV info: Ten Sports 

Weather: Per AccuWeather, the conditions should be good for cricket on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to get up to 21 degrees with no rain predicted to fall throughout the day.

Overview

With Brendon McCullum and Tim Southee staying at home, and both Corey Anderson and Trent Boult sidelined by back injuries, New Zealand will be without several key players during the series.

However, coach Mike Hesson insists the absence of some familiar faces only offers opportunities to others to come in and make a name for themselves, per ESPN Cricinfo:

"

This is a team which has built up an impressive record on the international circuit in recent times and the expectation is that we continue to perform, regardless of who might be missing.

We were also without some key players on last summer's away series against Pakistan, and still managed to win 3-2 thanks to other players stepping up.

Our focus is on continuing to produce strong team performances, rather than be distracted by the presence or absence of specific individuals.

"

Williamson is the heir apparent to captain McCullum, who has been given the chance to rest after a busy first half of the year that included a Cricket World Cup campaign, a stint in the Indian Premier League and a tour of England.

Per Mark Geenty of Stuff.co.nz, Todd Latham will take over from McCullum at the top of the order.

Martin Guptill will be the other opener—he struck a century on New Zealand's last appearance at the Harare Sports Club, in the process helping his team seal a 3-0 series triumph four years ago.

Uncapped leg-spinner Ish Sodhi has been selected in the squad for the series, while paceman Adam Milne could make his first appearance since the quarter-final win over New Zealand at the World Cup.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will want to improve on a miserable record against New Zealand in Harare—they have won just once against the Black Caps in seven meetings at the venue.

The home side have named a 15-man squad for the first two matches in the series, per ESPN Cricinfo.

They have reacted to the 3-0 series defeat against India on home soil by bringing in four players. They are batsman Craig Ervine, all-rounder Luke Jongwe, spinner John Nyumbu and seam bowler Chris Mpofu.

Key players

Zimbabwe

Captain Elton Chigumbura's century in the first ODI against India last month was one of the few highlights for Zimbabwe in a disappointing series.

The right-hander is now the key wicket in his side's middle order after Brendan Taylor retired from international action to continue his career playing county cricket in England.

New Zealand

With McCullum missing, extra responsibility is passed on to the shoulders of Martin Guptill at the top of the Kiwi batting order.

He threatened in the series with England without ever delivering a big score, hitting three half-centuries but finishing the five matches with a highest score of 67.

Squads

Zimbabwe

Elton Chigumbura (captain), Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Regis Chakabva (wicketkeeper), Graeme Cremer, Prosper Utseya, Tinashe Panyangara, Christopher Mpofu, John Nyumbu, Vusi Sibanda, Luke Jongwe, Neville Madziva

New Zealand

Kane Williamson (captain), Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi (wicketkeeper), Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Ben Wheeler, George Worker

All stats used in the preview are from ESPN Cricinfo