Zimbabwe opener Hamilton Masakadza has been ruled out of the second Test against New Zealand that begins at the Queens Sports Club Saturday in a major blow to the host's already slim hopes. The 32-year-old, whose 30 Test appearances make him Zimbabwe's most experienced player, is nursing a left lower-back strain from the first Test, which New Zealand won by an innings and 117 runs last Sunday. Masakadza was ruled out after fitness tests on the eve of the match, Cricket Zimbabwe said Friday. He is the only omission from the 15-man squad from the first of the two Tests with his place taken by off-spinner John Nyumbu. New Zealand, meanwhile, is expecting to come up against greater resistance from both their opponents and the conditions when they take on Zimbabwe. The tourists expect Zimbabwe to be an improved side from the one that was playing its first Test in almost two years, and are also anticipating a pitch with even less life in it. "We know this game will be tougher," wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling, who scored a century in the first Test, said Friday. "The surface looks slower and drier. "We've got to improve in little areas, because Zimbabwe will be a tougher task." While New Zealand's seamers did the job in the first game, taking 16 of the 20 wickets, that could change as the venue hosts its second straight Test match in as many weeks. "The spinners will come into it more," said Watling. "I thought they bowled reasonably well with little reward (in the first Test)." Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi were both picked for the first Test, and Watling confirmed that New Zealand would field an unchanged XI Saturday. Captain Kane Williamson and fast bowler Tim Southee will both play their 50th Test matches. Zimbabwe is expected to try and replicate its opponent's team balance, having called off-spinner Nyumbu into its squad. Nyumbu will provide some much-needed support to leg-spinner Graeme Cremer, who toiled through 53 overs in New Zealand's innings in the opening match.
