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Paul Munyuki Harare Bureau
THE Chevrons have blown hot and cold, in the first two One Day Internationals, and now need to find their rhythm if they are to win a rare series against a Test playing nation when they take on New Zealand at Harare Sports Club today.

The toss, as usual, will play a key role.

Chevrons captain Elton Chigumbura was roundly criticised for his poor decision to choose to bat, after winning the toss, in the last ODI.

He believes his side can bounce back from a 10-wicket whipping at the hands of their opponents.

Zimbabwe last won an ODI series two years ago when they beat Bangladesh 2-1 at home and their last ODI series win against a Test playing nation other than Bangladesh came in 2001 against New Zealand.

“As a team we obviously want to win but we’ve to get all the processes right first,” said Chigumbura.

“We’re still positive, having won well in the first ODI, and New Zealand playing well in the second.

“I believe we’ve a good chance to win the game but the main thing is for us to play well in all three departments and have all the players contributing.

“We always aim for all three departments to play well and support each other but at times things don’t just work out right so we’ll be forced to stretch ourselves and cover for the weakness at that time.

“Being positive is the first thing we need because that will bring everything else into place and it’ll be easy to take it up from there like we did in the first game.”

Prosper Utseya and seamer Chris Mpofu have made way for John Nyumbu and Neville Madziva.

Chigumbura defended his decision to bat first in the last ODI.

“I don’t feel bad about that at all, It’s all about being able to back your skills as player and on that day we didn’t back our skills.

“It was a team decision and the coach wanted us to bat first and that’s what I went with.”

Madziva last played for Zimbabwe in last month’s ODI series against India when he came in for seamer Tinashe Panyangara who had suffered a hamstring injury and he took four wickets in the second ODI and two in the final match.

New Zealand will be missing the services of fast bowler Adam Milne due to a heel injury.

All Blacks coach Mike Hesson feels the toss is going to play an important part.

“The toss is an important factor, I think if you look at both games so far, the first 10 overs were challenging.

“They turn into quite flat wickets over here, but initially the ball holds in the wicket, especially with a hard seam.

“We’ve got five guys from our 2015 World Cup squad and a mix of guys making the most of their opportunities and it’s been so far, so good.

“We’ll have other guys getting their opportunities, and likewise we expect them to grab it.”